Overview

You can help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy by taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle. These healthy habits include not smoking, eating right, exercising regularly, staying at a healthy weight, and getting the screening tests you need.

A heart-healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, not just for people with existing health problems. It can help you keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. If you already have health problems, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, a healthy lifestyle can help you lower your risk of a heart attack and stroke.

If you have children, you can be their healthy role model. If your habits are healthy, your children are more likely to build those habits in their own lives.

• Don't smoke.

  Everyone who uses tobacco would benefit from quitting. When you quit smoking-no matter how old you are-you will decrease your risk of heart attack, stroke, and many other health problems.

• Eat healthy foods.

  Eating healthy foods is one of the best things you can do to prevent and control many health problems, including heart and blood vessel disease.

• Be active.

  Improving your fitness is good for your heart and blood vessels, as well as the rest of your body. Being active helps lower your risk of health problems. And it helps you feel good.

• Reach and stay at a healthy weight.

  Staying at a healthy weight is also part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

• Manage other health problems.

  Managing health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, can help keep your heart and body as healthy as possible. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drug use, talk to your doctor.

• Get screening tests.

  Seeing your doctor regularly and getting screening tests is important. The sooner your doctor diagnoses a disease, the more likely it can be cured or managed. The tests you might have to check your risk for heart and blood vessel problems depend on your age, health, sex, and risk factors. Talk to your doctor to find out which tests are right for you.

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