Things You Can Do

• Quit Smoking
• Get Sensible Exercise
• Get Tested for Diabetes
• Control High Blood Pressure
• Form a Partnership for Health
• Keep Alcohol Use Moderate
• Strive for Balance
• Maintain a Health Body Weight

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

• What is Blood Pressure? What Happens When It's High?
• How is Blood Pressure Checked and What Do the Numbers Mean?
• What Causes High Blood Pressure?
• Preventing High Blood Pressure
• If You Have High Blood Pressure

Exercise

• Activities and Calories Used in Exercise
• Sample Walking Program
• Test Your Physical Activity and Heart Disease IQ
• Successful Exercise at a Glance

Change Dietary Habits

• Low-fat Cooking
• Eating Right in Every Location
• Diet tips at a Glance
• Calculate Your Body Mass Index
• Using the Food Label
• What is Cholesterol and Why Does it Matter?
• What Your Cholesterol Numbers Mean
• What Affects Blood Cholesterol Levels
• What Can You Do to Lower Your Blood Cholesterol
• Eating Right and Staying Active
• A Daily Food Guide
• Shopping the Heart-Healthy Way

Sometimes in today's "hurried" and "harried" society, you might find yourself being pulled in many directions -- work, children, family, friends, and other commitments -- without ever enough time to concentrate on any one thing, let alone commit to lifestyle changes.

However, incorporating healthy behaviors into a daily routine that includes work, family life, and enjoyment, can be an important step toward achieving a balance in your life that will make you feel better about yourself, live longer, and be more active.

But how do you get started?

Most experts agree you don't have to change your whole life overnight. Simply incorporating 10 minutes of activity into your day is a start to a healthier, happier you. Of course, some changes are more difficult to make in your life. For example, if you are quitting smoking or changing your family's eating habits, this might take some time and commitment to incorporate into your routine. However, the benefits of making these types of changes in your life definitely make the effort worthwhile.

Here are some suggestions that may help you make healthy changes in your life:

• Take your time, make a plan to incorporate healthier behaviors into your life. Break your plan into "doable" tasks and enjoy the satisfaction you feel as you check each task off your list, knowing you are fighting back against heart disease.

• Eliminate Stress. Some stress is normal in everyone's life, but learning how to deal with and control that stress is an important factor in heart health. You may want to try making a list of things that bother you, and then carefully evaluate each item, asking yourself if it is worth the worry it causes you. If it is, ask yourself what you can do to change either the circumstance or how you respond to that circumstance. If it isn't worth worrying about -- forget about it. Relaxation techniques can also be very helpful in reducing stress. Find something you enjoy doing or a place you enjoy being, and just relax. Your doctor can help you learn more about relaxation and controlling stress.

• A key component to achieving a balance in your life is surrounding yourself with people and things you enjoy and care about. The grounding you receive from good friends, family, and spiritual beliefs can support your sense of personal value and selfworth.

• Variety in your life is also important. Have a meal with friends, ride a bike on an autumn afternoon, visit a museum with your family, go to Church, see a ballet or an opera -- whatever brings you pleasure and takes your mind away from everyday stress and concern.

• Finally, laughter is one activity that has been well-documented for its ability to increase the body's level of hormones that make you feel good and improve your ability to stay healthy. So laugh -- take time to enjoy yourself and your life. The benefits will enhance every other effort you make to improve your heart health.