When it comes to heart health, there are things you have no control over, such as aging or heredity. But there are many other things you can do to lower your risk of heart damage. "And in a case like this, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of medicine," says Gregg Fonarow, MD, a spokesman for the American Heart Association and assistant chief of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.  

To help your heart continue to function properly, avoid the following ten things:

1. Smoking - smoking is a major cause of heart disease, as it raises blood pressure, causes blood clots and makes physical activity difficult. Also, smoking is considered the number 1 preventable cause of early death in the US, according to the American Heart Association.  

Although smoking may be one of the more difficult habits to quit, the benefits of quitting smoking are probably the biggest and most immediate.

If you throw away the cigarettes, your heart risk will decrease within a few days of quitting. Within a year, your risk will be cut in half, and after 10 years without smoking, your heart risk will be as if you had never smoked, according to Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and medical director of the Women's Heart Program at New York University.

2. Ignoring chest pain - when your heart really hurts, it's time to get checked. If you suffer from chest pain during exercise, this is a red flag, but if the pain occurs after a heavy meal, it is probably your stomach that is causing you trouble, according to Goldberg, who serves as a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and author of "Dr. Nieca Goldberg's Complete Guide to Women's Health

Heartache may manifest as pressure, rather than actual pain. People tend to feel pressure in the front of the chest and sometimes the feeling extends to the shoulders, goes up to the jaw or goes down to the left arm. If you feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest and you start sweating, this is an emergency. Call 101 immediately.

Regardless of what you're feeling and when, even a doctor can't tell you over the phone if you're in real trouble, so you need to seek medical help in person for an accurate response to chest pain.

3. Reconciliation with the genetic factor - a family history of heart disease is a significant factor in defining you as having a chance of heart problems. If you have a parent who has had an early heart attack, your chances of having a heart attack doubles among men and increases by about 70% the chance of a heart attack among women, according to a report by the American Heart Association from December 2010.

"However, heart problems are not only what you inherit, but also what you do about that inheritance," says Goldberg. "Despite heredity, proper behavior can lower the chances of heart problems dramatically. For example, lowering the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in 50% will reduce the risk of heart problems by half."

A 1988 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that taking a statin drug (a class of drugs designed to lower cholesterol and work by inhibiting a certain enzyme) may help people with a family history of heart problems lower their chances of heart problems to a lower level than people without a family heart history. And accordingly it can be said that in some cases you can completely eliminate your increased chances of heart problems.

Awareness of a family history of heart disease or stroke can help you take the appropriate precautions. Spend time researching your family history and you may very well be surprised by the results.

And the bottom line: there is no reason to allow your family history to determine your destiny.

4. Skipping medical tests - If you are not regularly checked by a doctor, you may miss silent risk factors for heart problems, which are usually difficult to detect, according to Fonarow, director of the Cardiomyopathy Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.  

Some of the most common asymptomatic cardiovascular problems are also the easiest to treat, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

If the cost of the test is what deters you, you may have more options than you thought. Federally funded health centers allow patients to pay as they can, and local hospitals often offer information about clinics that allow payment in installments.  

The new health law has different conditions regarding preventive medicine, so that it is possible and possible to get coverage for tests. Contact your local health department for instructions.  

5. Immobility - "Immobility increases the chances of heart disease, and physical activity is manifested in extending life expectancy," says Fonarow. Physical activity helps, among other things, in lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol levels, encouraging weight loss, contributing to blood vessel function and reducing stress. Even if you haven't been active in the last 20 years, it's never too late to start, just consult a doctor before starting a new fitness regimen. Tell the doctor in detail your plans, and if you are interested in professional advice, the doctor will be able to give it to you.  

6. Stopping the medication - if you stop taking the medication intended for your heart problems, the break will not always be reflected in your feeling. However, know that you may be on the road to cardiac disaster. "Only after people experience a heart attack or a stroke do they realize their condition and think: 'Oh, too bad I stopped taking the blood pressure medication,'" says Fonarow. According to him, heart medications should be seen as a kind of "insurance" against heart attacks and strokes.

7. Ignoring the expansion of the waist line - if your belt size is increasing, you have reason to worry. Excess fat tissue in the middle of the body that gives a somewhat "apple" appearance, may indicate metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of risk factors that may cause heart disease, stroke or diabetes, through hardening of the arteries, insulin resistance and inflammation.

According to Goldberg, a large waistline is associated with doubling your chances of heart disease. This is definitely a good reason for doubling the efforts to get in shape, and this through a healthy lifestyle. Pay attention - it's not just about the size of your clothes.

8. Ignoring the heartbeat - the feeling of beating in the heart that causes discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, a feeling of fainting or actual fainting may be a sign of heart rhythm disorders. This is an electrical problem in the heart that manifests itself in a pulse that is too fast, too slow, or irregular. If you suffered from such a feeling for just a second, there is no reason to worry. You can attribute this to caffeine, chocolate or asthma. But if the feeling is felt often, or is associated with additional symptoms, seek medical help immediately.  

9. Ignoring rampant blood pressure - "A great way to destroy your heart is to leave your blood pressure high and untreated," says Fonarow. He said only half of American adults with high blood pressure keep it under control. If you allow your blood pressure to get out of control, you will cause your heart to work harder, leading to heart failure. This condition may even cause hardening of the arteries and increase the chances of heart attack, stroke and other problems.

Although the symptoms of high blood pressure are rare, it is easy to diagnose. You can even check yourself with a home blood pressure monitor. Diet, exercise and medication (if necessary) may treat high blood pressure.

10. Uncontrolled eating - "Overweight or morbid obesity contribute to heart disease, heart failure and shortened life expectancy," says Fonarow. Undoubtedly, long-term weight loss is not easy to achieve, but the good news is that even modest weight loss may improve the status of heart risk factors.

Follow a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and nuts, low in saturated fat and cholesterol and containing very little trans fat. Of course, this does not mean that you should abstain from fat consumption. You can get heart healthy fat by eating fish, olives, olive oil and avocado. Note that the healthy fat should also be consumed in moderation.