What can women do to reduce their risk of heart disease?

Living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Try these heart-healthy strategies:

• Quit smoking. If you don't smoke, don't start. Try to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, which also can damage blood vessels.
• Exercise regularly. In general, everybody should do moderate exercise, such as walking at a brisk pace, on most days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your doctor what weight is best for you. If you're overweight, losing even a few pounds can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of diabetes.
• Eat a healthy diet. Opt for whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats. Avoid saturated or trans fats, added sugars, and high amounts of salt.
• Manage your stress. Stress can cause your arteries to tighten, which can increase your risk of heart disease, particularly coronary microvascular disease.
• Limit alcohol. If you have more than one drink a day, cut back. One drink is approximately 12 ounces (360 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (150 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (45 milliliters) of distilled spirits, such as vodka or whiskey.
• Follow your treatment plan.Take your medications as prescribed, such as blood pressure medications, blood thinners and aspirin.
• Manage other health conditions. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes increase the risk of heart disease.