Other Prevention Strategies

Exercise. Physical inactivity increases the risk of heart disease. Exercise can help you take off extra pounds, control blood pressure, prevent and control diabetes, and boost the level of “good” HDL-cholesterol.

You do not have to be a super-athlete to reap the benefits of physical activity. Everyday activities like brisk walking, biking—even raking leaves and housecleaning—are effective. Exercise 30 minutes a day on most, preferably all, days. The 30 minutes can be in one block of time or in shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each.

Alcohol. A number of studies have reported that moderate drinkers are less likely to develop heart disease than people who don't drink any alcohol or who drink too much. Small amounts of alcohol may help protect against heart disease by raising levels of HDL cholesterol. Moderate drinking for women is defined as one drink per day. Counted as one drink are 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1-1/2 ounces of hard liquor (80 proof).

This is not a recommendation to start using alcohol if you are a non-drinker. And if you are pregnant or have another health condition that could make alcohol use harmful, you should not drink. But if you're already a moderate drinker, evidence suggests that you may be at a lower risk for heart attack. Moderation is the key; heavy drinking can cause heart-related problems.

Hormones and menopause. Menopause is characterized by a decrease in estrogen produced by women's ovaries. As estrogen levels begin to fall, some women develop symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. Research has found that prescription hormone medications can be used to relieve these symptoms and prevent or slow osteoporosis.

Some research indicates that estrogen, the key component in hormone replacement therapy (HRT), helps protect women from heart disease. However, in the first year of hormone therapy, women who already have heart disease may face an increased risk of heart attack. In addition, estrogen may be a factor in the development of uterine and breast cancer and gallbladder disease.

Until there is more conclusive research, the decision to use HRT must be made between each woman and her physician. If you are considering this treatment, you will need to consider your overall health and your personal and family health history.

Aspirin. A study of more than 87,000 women found that those who took aspirin regularly were 25% less likely to suffer a first heart attack than women who took no aspirin. A tiny daily dose of aspirin may be all that is needed. One study found that taking only 30 milligrams daily was as effective as the usual 300-milligram dose and caused less stomach irritation. As aspirin is not safe for everyone, however, you should not begin to take it on a long-term basis without consulting your physician.