CONTROLLING THE OTHER FACTORS THAT CAN LEAD TO HEART DISEASE

In addition to high blood cholesterol, other factors can lead to heart disease. These are: smoking, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, diabetes, and overweight.

You can make a difference. The more risk factors you control, the lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. If you want to lower your risk of heart disease:
Don't smoke.
Control your blood pressure if it is high.
Be active.
Control your weight.
Ask your doctor if you need your blood glucose checked.

Your doctor may suggest other pamphlets on each of these topics. Ask for the ones that interest you.

There are resources in your community to help you control your high blood cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease. For more information, contact the organizations below (at no charge):

Dietitians of Canada: www.dietitians.ca
Heart and Stroke Foundation: 1-888-HSF-INFO (473-4636) or
   www.hsf.ca

To help you choose healthy food in the supermarket, you may want to read "The HeartSmart Shopper: Nutrition on the Run." This little book is available from the Heart and Stroke Foundation, along with a number of cookbooks including:

"Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating" is another useful resource. It is available from Health Canada (check the ""blue pages" of your phone book) or www.hc-sc.gc.ca/nutrition