The facts about cardiovascular disease:

Coronary heart disease is America's number-one killer. Stroke is number three. Millions of Americans suffer from high blood pressure which can lead to both diseases. While age and family history can increase your risk, controllable factors like diet, exercise and lifestyle play a major part as well.

A heart attack occurs when an area of heart muscle is permanently damaged because of an inadequate supply of oxygen. Know the warning signs of a heart attack:

• Persistent or recurring pressure or pain in the chest
• Pain in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

A stroke is a disruption of the blood supply to the brain, occurring when a vessel bursts, or is clogged by a blood clot. Know the warning signs of a stroke:

• Numbness in the face, arm or leg
• Sudden confusion
• An inability to communicate with or understand others
• Impaired vision
• Lack of coordination or dizziness
• Sudden severe headache

Once heart attack or stroke warning signs have been determind, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately.

The facts about preventing cardiovascular disease:

Work out.

Get your body moving on a regular basis and you’ll get heart-healthy. Recommended aerobic activities include walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, swimming and structured workout routines. Over time, work up to 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to five days a week.

Consult your physician for a thorough medical evaluation before beginning any exercise program, especially if you are overweight.

Eat right.

Heart-healthy eating is a concept that’s easy to digest. A high-fiber, low-fat, lowcholesterol diet makes it easier to maintain an ideal weight and helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart-healthy eating emphasizes a variety of foods in moderation, including:

• Fish, poultry and lean meats
• Dark green, yellow and red vegetables
• A variety of fruits, nuts and beans
• Whole or multi-grain breads, cereals and pasta
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
• At least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day
• Low-fat cooking preparation (baking, broiling or stir-frying) with little or no added salt or white, processed sugar