Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year, over 18,000 of those in New Jersey. You can make healthy changes to lower your risk:

• Watch your weight.
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy diet

It is also important to know the warning signs of a heart attack:

• Chest discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other symptoms may include breaking out in a cold sweat, weakness, nausea/ vomiting, lightheadedness and back or jaw pain.

Calling 9-1-1 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment.