How to Manage Risk Factors for Heart Disease

Minimizing your chance of developing heart disease is a matter of common sense and incorporating heart-healthy activities into your life. The following list contains five keys to a heart-healthy lifestyle:

• Control high blood pressure. Optimal blood pressure is 120/80 or below.

• Control your cholesterol levels. Desirable levels for total cholesterol are below 200 milligrams per deciliter. The lower, the better.

• Accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most, if not all, days.

• Maintain your body weight at healthy levels — a body mass index between 19 and 25.

• If you smoke, quit.