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Q: People tell me to live a “heart-healthy” lifestyle to reduce my risk of heart disease, but I don’t really know what that means. What should I be doing to keep my heart healthy?

A: Heart disease is very common. The term describes many types of conditions that affect the heart, including coronary artery disease, strokes, heart attacks, heart-rhythm problems and many others.

According to the CDC, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among both men and women across most racial groups in the United States.

Some of the biggest risk factors that can lead to heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Diabetes, obesity, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use also can increase the risk of developing heart disease.

The good news is that you can get control over these risk factors and your heart health. Here are some tips:

Manage your current health conditions

High blood pressure over time weakens blood vessels and arteries, putting a strain on your heart. High levels of cholesterol put you at long-term risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Both of these conditions are “silent,” meaning you may not know you have them. That is why it’s important to have regular checkups with your healthcare providers.

Try a heart-healthy diet

One of the best ways to protect your heart is to limit bad fats (trans and saturated fats that are common in fried and fast foods) and salt in your diet. Also, make sure you eat enough fruits and vegetables.

Planning out your meals for the week is a good way to make sure you can eat healthily throughout the week and don’t have to settle for eating out when you can’t figure out what to eat.

Be active

Research shows that doing at least two-and-a-half hours of cardiovascular exercises every week can help prevent heart disease. Cardiovascular exercises include anything that increases your heart rate.

It’s important to make sure the exercises you are doing are right for you. If you can train for and run a marathon, go for it! But if you would feel more comfortable walking around the block or vacuuming the house, those activities will provide benefits as well.

Quit smoking

Smoking can increase your heart rate, damage arteries and make your heart have to work harder.

There are a lot of options available to help you quit, including nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or prescription medications that can help curb your cravings. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find the best option for you.

There are many ways for you to take control of your life and live a heart-healthy lifestyle. Make time to talk with the members of your healthcare team to figure out the next steps you can take to prevent heart disease.

Miranda Norvell is a fourth-year Pharm.D. student at VCU School of Pharmacy. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in ambulatory care pharmacy, critical-care pharmacy or academia.