10 Ways to Keep Your Health and Heart in Their Prime

Carrying too much extra weight, especially around your midsection, can put you at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Aim to get to a healthy weight with these smart and sensible weight-loss tips.

The link between cigarettes and heart disease is just as strong as smokers' risks of lung cancer, so just don't do it. Limiting exposure to secondhand smoke is also important; the AHA reports that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke were 30 percent more likely to develop heart disease or lung cancer than those not regularly exposed to it.

That's the minimum amount of moderate-intensity exercise (like brisk walking) that the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends in order to help keep your heart in tip-top shape. Start with any of these workouts you can do at home.

It can help to know your blood sugar levels, especially if you are at risk for diabetes, are pregnant, or are over 40. Have a fasting blood glucose test done every three years to help you monitor your heart disease risk. Make an appointment with your doctor to get yours checked soon.

Stress can raise your blood pressure and damage artery walls, so recognize signs of stress and take a break so that you can lower your stress levels. These 20 ways to de-stress, like doing yoga or taking a relaxing bath, can help.

The AHA recommends only six teaspoons of added sugar a day, less than what's in one can of sugar-sweetened soda (nine teaspoons). Studies have linked high sugar intake to death by heart disease, so it's important to limit the amount of sugar in your diet. Eliminating sweetened drinks is a great place to start. You can take it a step further by trying this plan to break a sugar addiction.

Knowing your blood pressure numbers is important, since high blood pressure doesn't have any symptoms. If your blood pressure is over 120/80, you could be at risk for heart disease or stroke.