Some heart disease risk factors, like your family health history, for example, cannot be changed. However, it’s still crucial to reduce the risk factors that you can influence in order to reduce your risk of having heart disease.

If your doctor has just diagnosed you with heart disease, ask your doctor what you can do to keep as healthy as possible if you’ve just learned that you have heart disease.

• Aim for appropriate cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
  You must check your existing levels and make lifestyle and dietary changes accordingly. Consider your risk factors and past experiences with heart disease to determine your optimum cholesterol level. Your goal levels must be lower than those with low or average risk if you have diabetes, are at high risk of developing heart disease, or have previously suffered a heart attack.
• Manage your stress.
  Controlling your stress can reduce your chance of developing heart disease. Don’t undervalue the role that long-term stress plays in heart disease. If you routinely feel overwhelmed, nervous, or are struggling with difficult life events like relocating, changing jobs, or going through a divorce, talk to your doctor. You can even try out some stress management exercises like yoga.
• Eat a balanced diet.
  Avoid foods that are heavy in salt and saturated fat.
• Start exercising!
  Doctors advise engaging in 2 hours and 30 minutes of exercise per week, or 30 to 60 minutes on most days. In particular, if you already have a cardiac issue, speak with your doctor to ensure that you can safely follow these recommendations. Anything that gets your heart rate up can make a big difference. Dance is always a fun, enjoyable way to take the first step, for instance.