What is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States? Heart disease, including heart attacks, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease and congenital heart disease. And it can strike anyone.

There are certain things you can do to minimize your risk of heart disease, and prevention is key. Information from heart clinics is vital, and some of the ideals include:

• Know your blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol numbers
• Be within the parameters of a healthy weight
• No smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke
• Exercise 30 minutes per day
• Eat healthy and smart

Your gender, age and ethnicity play pivotal roles in your risk, and seeing a professional at a health clinic is very important to minimize the risks you face. Those in the highest percentages at risk include:

• Women
• Black Americans
• Hispanic/Latino Americans

A doctor at a heart clinic can initially diagnose and help to treat any heart disease issues, by running several different tests, such as a stress test, an EKG, a CT heart scan, a heart MRI or a myocardial biopsy. Once a problem is found, a heart clinic can follow up with many varied strategies to help with the ongoing need to get healthy.

There is no reason a person, even with a family history of heart disease, and in the bracket of those in most danger of contracting a problem, cannot live a long and healthy life, but in most cases they are in control.

With a few minor changes to your routine and quality of living and living healthy, and with the help of a professional, you’ll have nothing to worry about.