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The American Heart Association offers the following recommendations for lowering your risk of CHD:

1. Quit smoking. Cigarette smoking is considered the biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac death. Smokers' risk of heart attack is more than twice that of a nonsmoker. Smokers' who do suffer a heart attack are more likely to die than are nonsmokers who have a heart attack. By quitting smoking, an individual can immediately reduce their risk for heart disease.
2. Control your blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the workload of the heart. Over time, the heart muscle begins to enlarge. This increases the risk of heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. Adults should have their blood pressure checked regularly. Medication may be needed when lifestyle changes are ineffective in keeping the blood pressure within normal range. The goal for blood pressure is 140/90 or less.
3. Control your blood cholesterol. As levels of cholesterol rise in the blood, the risk for coronary heart disease increases. By adopting a diet that is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, it is often possible to reduce your cholesterol levels. When diet alone proves ineffective in reducing your cholesterol level, medications may be needed. Blood cholesterol (low density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol) LDL levels should be no higher than 160 mg/dl if no more than one risk factor is present or less than 130 mg/dl if two or more risk factors are present. LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dl in people with a history of heart attack, stroke or diabetes. HDL (high-density lipids, or "good" cholesterol) greater than 40 mg/dl and triglycerides less than 150mg/dl are recommended.
4. Increase your physical activity. Regular, moderate to vigorous intensity exercise plays a significant role in preventing heart disease. Studies have shown that moderate exercise, when done regularly, is beneficial in reducing your risk for heart disease. Regular exercise can also help to reduce your blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure, as well as decrease your risk for developing diabetes and obesity. It makes sense to become more physically active. Check with your doctor to see which type of exercise is best for you.
5. Maintain and achieve a desirable body weight. Persons with excess body fat are more likely to develop coronary heart disease. Obesity not only puts undo strain on the heart muscle but it can adversely influence blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels and increase your risk for developing diabetes. Even modest weight loss (10 to 20 pounds) can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. A body mass index (BMI) of 21 to 25 is recommended. BMI is a figure based on your height and weight and is recognized by the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization as the best standard to judge obesity.
6. Maintain normal glucose levels. Diabetes increases your risk of developing heart disease, even when your blood sugars are kept under control. If you have diabetes, it is very important for you to monitor and control as many risk factors for coronary heart disease as you can. If you do not have diabetes, get your blood sugar checked regularly to screen for this disorder.
7. Attempt to control the amount of stress in your life. Some researchers have noted a connection between coronary heart disease and stress. Although scientists still do not know exactly how stress might increase your risk for heart disease, it is generally considered wise to try to avoid stressful events, especially if they seem to contribute to other unhealthy behaviors like over-eating, smoking or increased alcohol consumption.

 For  More   Information:  Please  consult  your   physician  on  your  next  visit.