by Bianca Raven

Created on: September 09, 2008

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the USA today. What's really sad is that it could be prevented.

No matter what stage of life you're at, did you know that you really can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 60% in just a few short weeks?

There are several types of cardiovascular disease (or heart disease), but when doctors talk about it, they are generally referring to diseases of the heart or arteries affected by atheroma, which is a fatty substance that it deposited and built up inside the arteries. This is also sometimes called hardening of the arteries'.

These fatty lumps build up inside the lining of the arteries, making them narrower and more difficult for blood to flow through.

If you can stop the fatty deposits from building up inside your arteries, then you can help to prevent heart disease.

The problem is most people think it's too late to change their lifestyles. They think it's too difficult to turn back the clock and start again. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's never too late to start and it doesn't take long to reduce your risk factor.

The good news is it's easer than you think!

Let's look at some simple things you can do to help prevent developing cardiovascular disease today!

1. Cut Back Salt

This is an easy step that anyone can take. Most processed or ready-made foods contain too much salt already. Adding even more salt to your food means you're simply risking damage to your arteries.

2. Cut Back Alcohol

According to the doctors, a few drinks in moderation is fine but excess alcohol can seriously increase your risk of heart disease. Cut back on the amount you drink. Not only is cutting back good for your heart, it's good for your waistline too.

3. Take a Walk

A simple 30 minute stroll around the block a couple times a week is enough to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease enormously! You don't have to run or jog. Walking is fine and it helps to increase the blood circulation, which is another great way to prevent cardiovascular disease.

4. Cut Back the Fatty Foods

Less fatty foods and more healthy foods will help reduce your risk too. Processed, ready-made foods are high in fat, high in salt and low on nutrients. By cutting back on fatty foods, you're seriously cutting down your risk of heart disease and there's a great benefit to your waistline too!

5. Quit Smoking

Probably the biggest preventable cause of death is smoking-related illness. Quit smoking and you can extend your life, improve your health, reduce risk of heart disease and save a bundle of money at the same time.

6. Lose Weight

Obesity is the root of many preventable diseases, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Many obese people complain that diets don't work. They're right. Diets don't work. What does work is eating better food and being more active. Guaranteed.

By cutting down on fatty foods, take-away and processed foods and replacing them with healthier options, you could suddenly find your weight starts to drop away.

Add to this the 30 minute leisurely stroll around the block a couple times a week and you could find yourself toning up in places you didn't even know you had.

Even dropping a few pounds can help to reduce the stress and burden on your heart muscle, which really decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Remember, even small changes can greatly increase your chances of avoiding heart disease.

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