Protect your heart by watching your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Doctors recommend the following steps to keep your heart in shape:
Don’t smoke - If you currently smoke, quit! Smoking is considered the single worst thing you can do for heart-health. Talk to your doctor about how to get help in your efforts to quit and see if your state offers a hotline or website for people trying to quit.
Maintain a healthy weight - A third of American women are considered medically obese, while another third are considered overweight. Losing weight may seem like a daunting task, but even losing a little can do a lot of good. Talk to your doctor about his or her recommendations for losing weight and try to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
Eat heart healthy – That means more fruits and vegetables and less fast food. Try to include fish, which contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, in your diet. Think more high-fiber and less processed foods.
Exercise – The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends 30-60 minutes of exercise 4 to 6 times a week for general health and as part of a routine for maintaining heart health. If you’re not in the habit of exercising, talk to your doctor first and start slowly, but do start.
Talk to your doctor. While most physicians like to exhaust their other resources first, cholesterol and blood-pressure lowering drugs may be appropriate for some patients.