You can mitigate the risks

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the first American Heart Month to tackle heart disease, a leading killer in the U.S. The focus serves to remind people to take care of their hearts by mitigating their risk. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes.

About half of all Americans have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Review these signs for heart disease risk:

• High blood pressure: Millions of people in the United States have high blood pressure, and millions of them are as young as 40 or 50. Talk to your doctor about ways to control it.

• High cholesterol, diabetes and obesity: These are conditions that can increase risk for heart disease. People who fall into this category can work on eating healthy and getting physical activity.

• Cigarette smoking: Over 35 million adults in America are smokers. If you’re a smoker, do your best to quit or cut down.

Here are a few simple guidelines to protect heart health.

• First, if you’re a smoker, do your best to quit.

• Next, manage conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Take medications as prescribed.

• Make heart-healthy diet decisions. Eat whole foods low in trans-fat, saturated fat, sodium and added sugar. A good rule of thumb is to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables.

• Finally, get moving. Even 20 minutes of physical activity 4-5 days a week will make a difference.