Learning to recognize your risk factors for heart disease is the first step in taking action to reduce your risk of having a cardiac event, like a heart attack. There are some things you cannot control, such as having a family history of early CHD or getting older, but there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of CHD.

The risk factors that you can help control include abnormal blood cholesterol levels, cigarette smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and low physical activity levels. Talk with your doctor and know your “heart numbers” to help you set some heart-healthy goals that will help you reach your target: