Learn more about your stroke risks, and how to combat them

The numbers are staggering. Americans endure more than 2 million heart attack and stroke every year, and each day 2,200 people die from heart disease.rnHeart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States, which means heart problems causes one of every three deaths in the united states. Heart problems and stroke also are among the leading causes of disability in our country - keeping more than 3 million people from enjoying a full quality of life.rnTo reduce these dismal numbers, the Department of Health and Human Services as well as other federal, state and local gov departments launched Million Hearts, an initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks by 2017.rnA key part of the Million Hearts initiative is to raise awareness of the broad scope of these conditions. We are all at risk. People of all ages, genders and races can have a heart attack or stroke. Even so, certain groups - African Americans, people between the ages from 40 to 60, and women - are at higher risk. But many of the people who are at high risk don't know it.rnMillion Hearts also encourages each of us to come to be our own heart and brain health recommend. There are some significant steps you can take so that you can be counted among those taking action to prevent heart attacks and strokes: -Understand your risks. Hypertension, smoking cigarettes, obesity and diabetes are a few of the risk factors for heart attacks. Hypertension, atrial fibrillation (when the heart beats out of rhythm), high cholesterol, diabetes, atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), circulation problems, tobacco use, smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity and obesity are the major risk factors for stroke. - Get up and doing exercise for 30 minutes on every day of the week. -Know your ABCS: Appropriate Aspirin Therapy, Blood Pressure Control, Cholesterol Control and Smoking Cessation. - Stay strong by eating a heart-healthy diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. -Take control of your heart health by following your doctor's instructions for medications and treatment.rnSome risk factors for heart attack and stroke, such as age and family history, are out of our manage, but most risk factors can be lowered or removed altogether with lifestyle changes.