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Take more responsibility for your health. Ask your health care providers questions. No question is stupid. If you don't understand an answer, ask again! If your questions aren't answered to your satisfaction, ask for a referral to someone who can give you a second medical opinion.
Learn more about your risk factors and have regular check-ups. Reduce the risk factors you can control.
You may need to:
• Reduce fat and cholesterol in your diet.
• Stop smoking and avoid other people's tobacco smoke.
• Control high blood pressure.
• Be more physically active. For example, use stairs instead of elevators!
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Take medicine if your doctor prescribes it.
• Learn to relax and find healthful ways to deal with situations you find stressful.
Unhealthy responses to stress may lead to other risk behaviors like smoking and
overeating.
Get your friends and family to join you in a healthy way of life. You might:
• Make changes slowly in your family's diet and exercise habits.
• Share heart-healthy cooking tips and recipes with friends.
• Suggest that your church, synagogue or community group hold a blood pressure
or cholesterol screening.
• Find a partner to exercise with you three or four times a week.
• Turn off the TV and do something active as a family.
• Help friends and family who want to quit smoking.
Take action in your community and workplace:
• Ask for healthier food choices in grocery stores, restaurants and your company's
vending machines or cafeteria.
• Insist on a non-smoking section in restaurants and other public places.
• Request that your workplace be smoke-free.
• Start a fitness, walking club or exercise class.
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