Give up smoking. Better yet, don’t start.

Better yet, don’t start. Smoking is one of the main causes of coronary heart disease. A year after giving up, your risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.

Get Active. 

Getting and staying active can reduce your risk of developing heart disease, is a great mood booster and stress buster.

Manage your weight. 

Being overweight can increase your risk of heart disease. Stick to a healthy, balanced diet low in fat and sugar, with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Eat more fiber.

Eat plenty of fiber to help lower your risk of heart disease. Aim for at least 30 grams per day.

Cut down on saturated fat.

Eating too many foods that are high in saturated fat can raise the level of cholesterol in our blood. This increases the risk of heart disease.

Get your 5-a-Day.

Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Cut down on salt.

To maintain healthy blood pressure, avoid using salt at the table and try adding less to your cooking.

Eat fish.

Eat fish at least twice a week, including a portion of oily fish.  Fish rich in omega-3 include salmon, trout, tuna and sardines.

Drink less alcohol.

Remember that alcohol contains calories too.  Limiting alcohol consumption to the recommended daily amount not only reduces risks to your heart health but also helps your waistline.

Read the food label.

When shopping, look at the label on food and drink packaging to see how many calories and how much fat, salt and sugar the product contains. Understanding what’s in food and how it fits in with the rest of your diet will help you make healthier choices.