Heart disease has killed millions and it may continually do so if we do not pay attention to our health habits, our lifestyle and the food we eat. What is sad about heart disease is that, it can take a life silently without symptoms.

So if you want to stay healthy, enjoy a healthy life, and reduce your risk of having heart attacks and stroke, find ways to prevent heart disease. This disease is a preventable one, so there should be no reason that you can’t find ways to avoid it.

1. Know the risk factors. Being informed is important in preventing heart disease and in any diseases generally. If you are aware of the risk factors, the causes, and what can lead you to heart problems, you will of course find a way to avoid it as much as possible.

2. Get a regular exercise and try to maintain an active lifestyle. Exercising is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease, a good way to lower down blood pressure and a way to maintain a healthy body. High blood pressure or hypertension is often a precursor to heart problems as well as other diseases, thus always maintain a healthy blood pressure by regular exercise.

3. Eat healthy. Know what you can do with your diet to make it heart friendly and healthy as well. Opt for a variety of vegetables and fruits in your diet and cut down on fast foods, deep-fried foods as well as foods that are high in fats.

4. Quit smoking. Smoking does not only increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, it can also bring about some serious health problems and respiratory diseases. If you are serious about wanting to have a healthy heart and a healthy body as well, then find ways to quit smoking.

» Read more: Top 10 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease

Like many of my patients, you may want to turn over a new, and healthy, leaf for 2011. As I tell my patients, one of the most important things you can do for your health is to know your risk factors for heart disease. Heart disease in America is still one of the number #1 killers. Being proactive in learning, and working to reduce, your risk factors will not only make you healthier but could save your life.

Risk Factors You Can Change

There are a handful of risk factors for developing heart disease, some of which you can modify, or eliminate, yourself, and others you cannot. Most of us have at least 1 risk for heart disease. Your chances of getting heart disease multiply with the number of risk factors you have. The risk factors you cannot change are:

• Age – the older you get, the higher your chances for heart disease.
• Heredity – if you have a history of heart disease in your immediate family.
• Gender – men are at highest risk for heart disease as are menopausal women.

Even within those risk factors that you cannot change, there are many things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease by eliminating other risk factors. These include:

•Smoking – the number #1 modifiable risk factor for smoking. If you smoke, QUIT.

•High cholesterol/triglycerides – high animal fat (meat, dairy) diet coupled with low antioxidant nutrients can lead to a buildup of plaque within arteries.

•Lack of Exercise – exercise strengthens the heart and muscles surrounding the arteries that help pump blood throughout the body. Also lowers weight and blood pressure.

•Drug/Alcohol Abuse – weakens heart muscle and causes irregular heart rhythms. Too much alcohol also causes higher triglyceride levels which builds dangerous plaques.

•Over-Stressed Lifestyle – too hectic lifestyles, lack of sleep, too much caffeine creates a high cortisol environment which stresses the heart and adrenal glands.

•Over fat – too high body fat percentage puts stress on the heart.

•Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes – though you may not be able to turn around diabetes, you can get it under control so that it is less a risk for you. Pre-diabetes can be treated and changed with diet, exercise, and perhaps medication, to prevent full-blown diabetes.

•High Blood Pressure – can lead to heart disease and/or stroke. Too high sodium intake, lack of sufficient water intake, kidney disease may cause HBP. May need medication.

» Read more: Heart Disease – Are You At Risk?