Cardiovascular Disease: What You Can Do

Women and men alike can reduce their chances of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease by addressing their risk factors head on

Stop Smoking

Smoking more than triples a woman's chances of having a heart attack. If you quit, that risk is cut in half within two years; after 10 years, the odds return to nearly normal.

Lose Weight

Carrying excess fat, especially around the middle, increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Obesity can also lead to diabetes, a major risk factor. Doctors recommend a reduced-calorie diet with lots of vegetables and whole grains, plus at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a day.

Lower Cholesterol

Elevated lipids--cholesterol and triglycerides--are important risk factors. Although doctors have traditionally...

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