If you're at risk for heart disease, there's good news. Many people can take steps to greatly reduce their chances of developing it. Even if you already have atherosclerosis or have had a heart attack, there's a lot you can do to prevent future heart problems.

Surgeries and procedures like cardiac catheterization, bypass surgery, angiography, and stents, plus cholesterol-lowering medicines, are helping many people with heart disease live longer. Even so, heart disease is still the most common cause of death in the U.S. You can help make sure you don't become a statistic by taking steps to lower your risk.

Some risk factors are beyond your control. For instance, people who are biologically male at birth have a higher risk. Your family history may also be a factor. And your risk increases with age.

Other major risk factors can be changed. You can help lower your risk of developing heart disease by making positive heart-healthy lifestyle changes. Even if you already have heart disease, doing these things can help you prevent a future heart attack:

• Stop smoking. People who smoke are up to 4 times more likely to develop heart disease than those who don't smoke.
• Control high blood pressure. If you have blood pressure higher than recommended, work with your doctor to lower it.
• Control high cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol, particularly if you have high LDL ("bad") cholesterol, work with your doctor to lower it. Even a 10% reduction in your total cholesterol may lower your risk for heart disease.
• Get to or stay at a weight that's healthy for you. Having extra weight, especially around the waist, increases heart disease risk. Losing even a small amount of weight, if recommended by your doctor, can improve heart health.
• Get physically active (with your doctor's approval). Being inactive can raise your risk. Inactivity is just as dangerous as smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Increasing physical activity increases the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in your body, which helps prevent disease of your arteries.
• Control diabetes. If you have diabetes, keep control of your blood sugar level. About two-thirds of people with this condition die from cardiovascular disease, not diabetes. High blood sugar is very damaging to blood vessels anywhere in the body. Ongoing high blood sugar scars the vessels and can cause heart attacks, strokes, and narrowing of arteries to major muscles and organs such as the heart and brain.
• Limit alcohol. For some people, it's best to avoid alcohol completely.
• Manage stress. Positive mental health is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure and other heart problems.
• Don't use recreational drugs. This includes cocaine and amphetamines.

You can tackle several risk factors at once by doing just three things: eating healthier foods, exercising regularly, and taking your medicines as directed.

Choose a variety of heart healthy foods. These include:

• Vegetables and fruits. These foods provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that support heart health. Choose a variety of types and colors, such as leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, and others you enjoy.
• Beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. These foods provide protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They can help support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
• Whole grains. Choose whole-grain breads, cereals, rice, and pasta instead of refined grains. Whole grains provide more fiber and nutrients.
• Healthy sources of protein. Include plant proteins, fish, seafood, and lean meats or poultry if desired. Limit processed meats.
• Low-fat or nonfat dairy products. These provide protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Examples include low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Foods with healthy fats. Choose foods with unsaturated fats, such as nuts, seeds, and plant oils, in place of foods high in saturated fat.

Exercise can cut your risk for heart disease by helping you lose weight and control your blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels. Exercise for at least 30 to 40 minutes, 4 to 5 days a week. Brisk walking, jogging, running, swimming, and cycling are all great activities. Choose a type of exercise that is moderate to vigorous intensity to get the benefits for your heart and body.

Talk with your health care provider before starting to exercise, especially if you already have heart disease.

Feeling unmotivated? Keep this in mind: If you weigh 200 pounds, you could lose 14 pounds in a year by adding a brisk 1-1/2-mile walk to your daily routine and eating wisely. Not very athletic? Pick an activity that doesn't require new skills. Hate exercising alone? Ask a friend to join you.

Following a healthier lifestyle may be enough to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, or even diabetes in check. If it isn't doing the trick, your health care provider may recommend prescription medicines.

Read the label on your medicine. And read any information provided by your pharmacy about your prescription. If you're taking more than one medicine, consider filling all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. This may help prevent possibly dangerous interactions. Let your provider know about any side effects. Consult with your provider before stopping any medicine on your own.