For example, you can make three goals, and then decide whether or not you want to accomplish them all at once or tackle just one at a time. Here are some good goals to make in terms of better cardiovascular health:

1. Quit smoking


2. Reduce dietary intake of salt to less than 100 mEq/L each day.


3. Increase physical activity by at least 10,000 pedometer steps a week. You can purchase a pedometer which will count the number of steps that you take each day.

What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

There are a number of different risk factors that all contribute to the greater possibility of developing cardiovascular disease. The rate of cardiovascular disease is increasing every year, primarily due to poor lifestyle choices and habits. Here are some of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease:

1. high cholesterol
2. high blood pressure, or hypertension
3. smoking
4. physical inactivity
5. family history of cardiovascular disease
6. diet, including a large amount of salt in one's diet
7. age

While traditionally cardiovascular disease and other cardiovascular problems are most often associated with being male, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women around the world, even in the United States. More and more awareness is being spread of the danger of cardiovascular disease in women, but still many doctors are not aware of the dangers posed to women by cardiovascular disease. Ensure that you stand up for yourself with doctors, and ask to receive the same tests and the same treatment as men when it comes to cardiovascular disease, such as careful monitoring and the use of pacemakers and other technological developments in treating cardiovascular disease. Change your diet! Changing your diet can drastically improve your blood pressure and your cholesterol to cut down on the possibility of developing cardiovascular disease. A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, and 3 servings of mostly low fat dairy products. You can see results in just two weeks. Important nutrients to ensure that you are receiving are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin B12, potassium, protein, zinc, and riboflavin.

Increase exercise

An increase in exercise will help improve your heart health and can help cut down on cardiovascular disease problems. You do not have to become a marathon runner in order to have a healthy heart. Instead, begin by increasing your exercise levels gradually. Walk further each day. Purchase a pedometer so that you can track how many steps you are taking each day. Swimming is a fantastic way to improve exercise levels. Swimming or water aerobics are excellent alternatives for people who have joint problems, arthritis, or osteoporosis.