Heart disease prevention for women

Many women who experience a sudden heart attack show no prior symptoms, making early detection of heart disease even more important.

Unhealthy habits account for 82 percent of heart disease in women. While you can't control your family history, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by making healthy lifestyle choices, including:

• eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol, and full of whole grains and fruits and vegetables
• maintain a healthy weight
• take part in regular aerobic activity, such as walking for 30 minutes, five days a week
• don't smoke
• arrange for periodic cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure measurements with a doctor
• learn how to manage stress

Two easy ways you can live healthier is by planning for healthy meals, cutting the fat in cooking and focusing on physical activity.