"When I tell people that almost 80 per cent of heart disease is preventable, they are surprised," said Mayo cardiologist Martha Grogan.
"Better yet, there are daily things we all can do that can make a big difference in our effort to keep our hearts healthy," Grogan said.
Grogan encourages people to move 10 extra minutes each day.
"Moving even 10 minutes a day for someone who's been sedentary may reduce the risk for heart disease by 50 per cent," Grogan said in a statement.
A sedentary lifestyle may increase your risk of heart attack almost as much as smoking does, studies have shown.
Each day, make an effort to get up from your desk to go talk to a colleague instead of sending an email, or walk around the house as you are talking on the phone, she recommended.
Americans too often cheat themselves of sleep and their hearts can pay the price, said Virend Somers, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and sleep expert.
Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression.
Changes can make a difference, said Randal Thomas, a Mayo preventive cardiologist.
For example, a 53-year-old male smoker with high blood pressure has a 20 per cent chance of having a heart attack over the next 10 years. If he stops smoking, his risk drops to 10 per cent; if he takes high blood pressure medicine, it falls to 5 per cent, Thomas said.
"There's a saying that heart disease is what nature gives you for breaking its rules. But you have a second chance. Healthy lifestyle habits can help you reduce a majority of your risks for heart attack," Thomas added.
