On Friday, February 5, 2010, thousands of people across the country joined together at companies and organization as part of National Wear Red Day. The event is designed to help raise awareness and fight heart disease. But it's important to remember that the concerns over heart disease aren't limited to one day.

Coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. It's a daunting foe and one that needs to be fought by individuals working hard not only to raise awareness but also to reduce their risk factors.

Risk Factors

Although you can control some risk factors, others may be out of your hands. The important point is to recognize them all and understand what you have the power to change.

The risk factors you can't control include aspects like your age, gender, race, and of course heredity. But regardless of where you fit in relation to those factors, there are always elements that you can control and adjust to live a longer, healthier life.

The factors under your control include your:

• Cholesterol level (and intake)
• Blood pressure
• Stress level
• Weight

Not to mention crucial factors such as:

• Smoking
• Physical activity
• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs

Take Control Starting Now

The American Heart Association has a number of strategies that can help you take control of these factors...and of your health!

Commit to Quit. If you smoke, one of the best things you can do for your heart and your health in general is to quit. We know... easier said than done. But so much rides on this one factor that it's important to keep trying. The fact is, no matter how tough it is to quit smoking, it's a lot harder to recover from a heart attack.

Eat Well. Healthy eating habits are at the top of the list, too. When you eat well, you help control your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar level, as well as maintain a healthy weight. So what should you eat? Try to eat more nutrient-rich foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but are lower in calories. That means selecting foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, fish, lean protein and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

Get the Lowdown. No matter how you cut it, you have to watch your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. That's because fat can lodge in your arteries and eventually trigger a heart attack or stroke. If diet and exercise don't get your blood cholesterol numbers down, then it may be time to talk to your doctor about medication.

Get Physical. To help lower blood pressure and cholesterol – and keep your weight at a healthy level – you need to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity, at least 5 days a week. If you aren't currently getting that much, make a plan and work up to it. Even starting with 10 or 15 minutes will be a big improvement. After all, research shows that people with even a moderate level of fitness are much less likely to die early than those with a low fitness level. So get started today, even if it's just a little bit.

Don't Wait on Your Weight. You've seen the commercials and the exaggerated claims of fad diet plans. While different plans work for different people, the main thing to remember is that managing your weight comes down to three key elements:

• Good nutrition: More vitamins and fiber, less saturated and trans fats.
• Reduced calorie intake: After all, even eating too much of the right foods can be bad for you.
• Physical activity: At least 30 minutes, five days a week.

In addition to these steps, take steps to reduce the stress in your life and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

These steps will help you live a longer, healthier life in a number of ways, including better mobility and, of course, reduced risk of heart disease.

Know the Signs

In addition to controlling your risk factors, you can also save your life – or the life of someone you know – simply by knowing the signs of a heart attack. The fact is that most heart attacks come on slowly. It's only when a person ignores the signs that a heart attack seems to hit suddenly. So memorize the following warnings signs and be on the look out for them if you or someone you know is at risk for a heart attack:

Chest discomfort. It doesn't have to be sharp or even strong. Any pain in the center of your chest, even if it stops and then comes back, can be a sign that something is wrong, and you should seek help immediately.

Upper body discomfort. The discomfort isn't limited to your chest. Pay close attention to pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw or even your stomach.

Shortness of breath. Even if you don't have discomfort, shortness of breath is an important warning sign...and one that you should never ignore.

In addition to these signs, you may feel lightheaded, nauseous, or cold and sweaty.

All of these symptoms are important to pay attention to because they may mean the difference between recovering from a heart attack or succumbing to one!

What to Do

If you or someone you know experiences any of the symptoms above, take action. When it comes to heart disease, every minute matters. That means you don't have time to sit around and wonder or discuss whether it could or couldn't be a heart attack.

Call 9-1-1 and get immediate medical attention. Let the doctors and emergency medical personnel determine if it is or isn't a heart attack.

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