Your Risk for Heart Disease

4. Your weight, especially the size of your waistline, matters.
Too much body fat, especially around your middle, increases your risk of heart disease and other serious diseases and conditions as well, including high blood pressure and diabetes. "Apple-shaped" women with extra fat at the waistline may have a higher risk than "pear-shaped" women with heavy hips and thighs. If your waist is nearly as large as, or larger than, the size of your hips, you may have a higher risk for coronary heart disease. 

5. Couch potato alert! Physical inactivity increases your risk of heart disease.
Belly dancing, shooting hoops, swimming, walking your dog, gardening-- whatever physical activity you enjoy, DO IT! Your heart will thank you.

Federal exercise guidelines now recommend 60 minutes of moderate-activity exercise on most days to avoid gaining weight. If 60 minutes sounds entirely out of the question, then use the Take 10 approach. Be creative and grab an extra 10 minutes of physical activity wherever you can throughout your day.

6. High blood pressure also puts you at risk for heart disease.
Even slightly elevated blood pressure levels can double your risk for heart disease.