Here are a few steps you can take to lower your risk:

• Eat Healthy.  Enjoy a well balanced diet that includes eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lowering or cutting out added salt and eating less saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight.  Proper diet and regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight.
• Be Physically Active.  Adults should engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for a total of 30 minutes or more a day on most days of the week.
• Stop Smoking.  People who smoke have a much higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
• Control your Cholesterol.  Eat a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber, keep a healthy weight and exercise.
• Know and Manage your Blood Pressure.  All adults should have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis.
• Manage Stress.  Protect your mental health and manage your stress.
• Schedule a yearly checkup with your health care provider.