By: Daniel Duprez, M.D., Ph.D.

As the leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular disease should not be taken lightly. Cardiovascular disease can lead to many things, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. To date, doctors have identified two factors that lead to cardiovascular disease: genetic and environmental factors (classical risk factors).

A person cannot control his or her genetics; they are programmed at birth. And unfortunately, certain people are born with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than others. For example, someone with a family history of heart disease is at higher risk than a person without a family history.

And while the stereotype is that cardiovascular disease mainly affects Caucasian men, anybody can be at risk. In fact, different ethnicities have various risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A person of Asian descent is more prone to having a stroke than a heart attack. So are African Americans. In America, a true melting pot of cultures, cardiologists continue to struggle with early detection of cardiovascular disease in these different ethnicities.

Unlike genetics, the good news is that people can make choices to improve their environments. To help prevent cardiovascular disease from developing in your body, consider the following:

Cholesterol plays a huge role in cardiovascular disease, so do as much as you can to keep your levels down. Before indulging, check nutrition labels for high cholesterol content.

Despite all efforts, smoking is becoming increasingly popular among young people. Smoking can damage the inner-layer of blood vessels, cause stiffening and hardening of the arteries, and furthermore promote blood clotting in your arteries and veins.

Avoid drugs and alcohol. Cocaine may induce heart attacks, and use of heroine with dirty needles can lead to infections of the heart valves. Heavy alcohol consumption, too, can lead to heart failure. If you’re out with friends, consider having one drink and then switching to water. Try to avoid drinks containing a lot of sugar.

Exercise on a regular basis. This will lower your resting heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, exercise decreases your risk for obesity and, consequently, your risk for type 2 diabetes

Cut energy drinks out of your diet. While they give you an immediate boost, they are packed with calories. Additionally, these sugary drinks have abnormal concentrations of electrolytes, which can cause arrhythmia (irregular beating of the heart) in some people.

While you don’t have control over every element in your life, take charge of your heart health. If you develop symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or racing of your heart, get checked by your doctor. And practice healthy habits; your actions today will impact your health in the future.

Daniel Duprez, M.D., Ph.D., is professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School and director of research at the Rasmussen Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. He also serves as director of the Lipid Clinic and associate director of the Cardiovascular Clinical Trial Center. Duprez also holds the Donald and Patricia Garofalo Chair for Preventive Cardiology.