Prevention is the key to reducing incidents of heart disease and associated deaths, but for many people, preventing heart disease will require a change in lifestyles, Mixon said. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for heart attacks. Women who smoke have a much higher risk of death from heart disease. If a smoker kicks the habit, the heart disease risk will gradually decrease to the level of a nonsmoker. Physical inactivity proves to make a person twice as likely to have heart disease than an active person.
Exercise is one way to decrease the likelihood of heart disease.
Researchers now say that activity throughout the day is cumulative and has a positive effect. An easy way to increase activity is to increase the pace when walking. Using stairs whenever possible, and walking during breaks at work are also easy ways to increase activity. According to Mixon, another good way to become more active is by starting a walking program. It is easier to stay with a program when you have a buddy or someone to be accountable.