About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease. In the UK, the number is over 2.5 million.

1.1 million Americans will experience a serious heart event this year.

In Australia, cardiovascular disease kills over 49,741 people each year.

In 1998 cardiovascular disease killed over 79,389 Canadians.

In 80 to 100% of cases of fatal coronary artery disease one or more of four risk factors were involved. These are:

* High cholesterol
* High blood pressure
* Smoking
* Diabetes

One in four Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. Every 34 seconds one American will die as a result of cardiovascular disease.

No other disease claims as many women's lives as cardiovascular disease. One American woman dies each minute as a result of cardiovascular disease.

Around 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this years. That's one stroke every 45 seconds.

HEART DISEASE IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST KILLER OF AMERICANS. IT KILLS AS MANY AMERICANS AS THE NEXT 5 LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH.

If

* you are a smoker or
* you have unhealthy levels of cholesterol or
* you have high blood pressure or
* you have diabetes or
* you are overweight or
* you have a family history of early heart disease

then you are a risk of heart disease.

The good news is that you can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease by following four simple steps:

- Step One: See your doctor.
- Step Two: If you are a smoker, quit smoking.
- Step Three: Start a regular exercise routine.
- Step Four: Change your diet.

Step four involves eating foods that improve your cholesterol and blood pressure.