No matter what your race or genetic history, you don’t have to simply assume that you’ll get heart disease. You can take action to try to avoid it. The sooner you start the better, but it’s never too let to make an effort to lower your risk. It’s important for all women to know their risk factors, but it’s even more important for minority women.

Statistics on death rates show that an African American woman’s risk is almost forty points higher than a Caucasian woman’s risk. Race is a factor that you can’t change, but there are many factors that you can change. Whether you smoke, how you eat, and how much exercise you get all have a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. Those are things you can control.

By quitting smoking, eating healthier meals, and making sure that you get at least a moderate amount of exercise, you can help to protect your heart.