To keep heart disease from getting worse and to prevent

another heart attack, follow your doctor's advice. You might need to change your lifestyle. Here are some changes you can make that can cut your risk and put you on the path to a healthier life:

1.         Stop smoking: Smoking dramatically increases your risk of both heart attacks and strokes. Talk to your doctor about how to quit. You'll also be doing your friends and family a favor, since secondhand smoke can also lead to heart disease. You can also call the hotline 800-QUIT-NOW and visit the smokefree.gov website.

2.         Keep a healthy body weight: If you're overweight or obese, you don't have to get thin to reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke. If you lose 5% to 10% of your weight, you'll improve your cholesterol numbers and lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

3.         Follow an exercise plan: Moderate physical activity lowers your chances of a heart attack. It can also reduce your blood pressure and LDL ("bad" cholesterol), raise your HDL ("good" cholesterol), and help you stay at a healthy weight.

Aim for 30 minutes of exercise that gets your heart pumping at least 5 days a week. Brisk walking or swimming are some good choices. On the other 2 days, do strength training, like lifting weights. If you've got a tight schedule, break your exercise routine into small chunks.

4. Eat a heart-healthy diet: Fill your plate with different kinds of fruits, vegetables, beans, and lean meats, such as poultry without the skin. Also, increase your intake of whole grains like oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice, and of fish, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, and herring.

Avocado, olive oil, and flaxseeds also have omega-3s, as do some nuts and seeds. Fat-free or low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are better choices for your heart health than higher-fat versions.

5. Cut back on unhealthy foods: Stay away from processed or prepared foods that often are high in salt and added sugar. They're also filled with preservatives. Avoid fatty beef, butter, fried foods, and palm oil. All are high in saturated fats.

Skip sugary drinks like sodas and fruit punch, which can lead to weight gain. So can packaged baked goods such as cookies, cakes, and pies. They are high in trans fats and can raise your cholesterol levels.

6. Limit alcohol: If you don't drink already, don't start. If you do drink, limit the amount you drink. The recommendation is no more than one drink a day if you are a woman, and no more than two per day if you are a man. Drinking raises your heart rate and blood pressure. It also increases the level of fat in your blood and can cause weight gain.

7. Get regular checks of your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar (glucose) levels: If you have diabetes, make sure it’s controlled. Knowing these numbers can help you be more aware of the changes you need to make to keep these levels within normal limits.

8. Control stress: You may feel anxious or frustrated at times. Make sure you open up to your family and friends about what’s going on. Support groups can help you learn how others adjusted to life after a heart attack or stroke.

You may want to talk to a mental health professional or ask your doctor about a stress management program. You can also reduce stress with plenty of physical activity and mind-body practices like meditation.

9. Pay attention to your symptoms: Don't just hope they'll go away. See your doctor if you feel anything unusual, like shortness of breath, changes in your heart rhythm, or extreme tiredness. Also, watch for pain in your jaw or back, nausea or vomiting, sweating, or flu-like symptoms.