MONDAY, April 17, 2006 (HealthDay News) -- Only three percent of American adults follow the "big four" habits to prevent heart disease: Healthy diet, regular physical activity, proper weight, and not smoking, according to a recent national survey.
In order to help people improve their heart health, the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, has issued two new guidebooks about the factors that increase heart disease risk or that may contribute to worsening existing heart disease.
"Your Guide to a Healthy Heart" includes a detailed action plan for heart health and "Your Guide to Living Well With Heart Disease" has information to help people with heart disease protect and improve their heart health.
"In the United States, heart disease is the number one killer of both women and men. But the good news is that there are many things individuals can do to reduce their risks of heart disease," Dr. Elizabeth G. Nabel, NHLBI director, said in a prepared statement.
Here are some tips on how to reduce your heart-disease risk:
More information
Here's where you can download the guidebooks for free: "Your Guide to a Healthy Heart" or "Your Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease".