Your Risk for Heart Disease

If you have mild high blood pressure ("hypertension" is the medical term), you may be able to lower your blood pressure by reducing salt (sodium) in your diet, decreasing fat intake, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, switching to low-fat dairy products, and cutting back on alcohol, if you drink. If you are overweight, losing weight may reduce your blood pressure too. In some cases, these changes won't be enough and you may need a pharmacological boost. Remember, if you fall in this category, it's still important to eat a healthy diet and exercise.

7. High blood cholesterol is another risk factor you need to watch.
High blood cholesterol isn't just a problem that begins in middle age. It can start much, much earlier. You should have your blood cholesterol checked beginning at age 20 and have the test repeated at least every five years.

Lowering your blood cholesterol through exercise, diet and, if necessary, medication as well, can have a big payoff for your heart's health.

8. Be aware of diabetes.
Diabetes, or high blood sugar, is a serious disorder that also raises a woman's risk of heart disease enormously. About 75 percent of women with diabetes die of some type of cardiovascular disease.