If you didn’t already know it, heart disease is the number one killer of women of all ages. The good news is that, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, between 2000 and 2005 the number of women who died from heart disease actually decreased by 10%. While this is certainly worth celebrating, the stark reality behind the numbers is that among younger women (those ages 25 to 24), that rate fell less than 1%. There are a variety of factors at work here including genetics, but one very manageable factor is education and lifestyle change. Do you know your risk factor? Take three minutes to find out.

Have you talked to your doctor about heart disease?

It may have never occurred to you, but the best way to manage your heath across the board is to be proactive about it. Lifestyle-related heart risks such as Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are showing up in growing numbers of younger women. And since these patients are young, many health care professionals are not seeing these conditions for the risk factors they really are. Ask your doctor if any of your test results indicate a risk of heart disease now or in the future. Knowledge is power.

Does your family have a history of heart disease? Heredity is one of the most telling risk factors for heart disease. Did you know that if you have a parent who had heart disease at a young age (under 55 for your dad and under 65 for your mom), then your risk of developing a heart condition jumps 70%. Scary. And if you have a sibling with heart disease, your risk factor climbs even further. The good news is that if you and your doctor are aware of your risk factor, you can both be diligent about proactively managing that risk through diet and exercise.

What’s your pant size? Well, actually your waist size. It turns out that women with midsections measuring more than 35 inches are actually more likely to die of heart disease at a young age than women with smaller waists. If this is you, start an exercise program today that targets belly fat. There are no magic pills, so go cardio and go at least 45 minutes 4-5 times a week.

Do you smoke? If you do, stop. Whatever it takes. The more than 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke make your blood more prone to clots and if you’re on the pill as well, your risk factor goes through the roof.

Do you snore? Snoring in and of itself is not the factor, but it’s an indicator of sleep apnea, a condition that partially collapses the airway during sleep. Severe apnea can boost heart attack risk by putting more stress and strain on your heart while you sleep. There are various treatments available, so if you do snore, it could be more than just an annoyance to your partner – tell your doctor.

Whole Wheat or White? The correct answer is whole wheat. Just one extra serving of whole grains each day (that’s one slice of bread or a half cup of brown rice) can lower your risk of heart failure by 7%.

What’s your exercise regimen? If you are getting less than 30 minutes of exercise in every day, your heart is at risk. Exercise can take any form that keeps you interested and keeps you consistent. Keep it fun and keep your heart healthy.

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