I’ve talked with a number of young women who were blown away when they discovered they have heart disease. Yes, people tend to develop heart disease later in life, but age isn’t the only reason.It’s the risk factors or in many cases, the combination of risk factors that count:- high blood pressure (anything over 140/90)- high blood cholesterol (total > 200; Triglycerides >150; HDL 100)- smoking (yourself or second-hand smoke)- excess weight - (BMI greater than 24 is overweight - BMI 30 or higher is obese)- diabetes (Type I or Type II)- physical inactivity (exercise 30 minutes most days of the week)- stress and your reaction to it (Type A personalities like me, and those with constant stress)- certain drugs (like smokers who take oral contraceptives)- family history (if father or brother had heart disease before age 55 or mother before age 65)- menopause (natural or from surgical removal of uterus)- and of course increased ageBut there’s hope as most of us know. Reduce your risk of heart disease before it happens.- keep your weight at a healthy level through diet and exercise- stop smoking and reduce the amount of time you are exposed to second-hand smoke- get check-ups regularly- manage your stress by taking classes in yoga, tai chi, meditation, etc.- if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol and you can’t lower them by diet and exercise alone, take your medication.