Heart attack deaths fell by one-third between 2000 and 2010.

Many women don't realize how much risk they face when it comes to heart disease, the NHLBI says. Men's risk rises after age 40, and women's risk rises about 10 years later, after menopause. Although more men have heart disease, women are more likely to die from a first heart attack. The average 50-year-old woman is 3 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than breast cancer, the NHLBI says.

The link between mind and body is getting clearer. Studies following Japanese earthquakes, for instance, found heart attacks caused more deaths than injuries during and just after tremors.

Doctors recommend that many older adults take a daily low-dose aspirin such as a "baby aspirin" or half of an adult aspirin to help prevent blood clots in coronary arteries. In fact, some experts believe we could save thousands of lives a year if everyone swallowed 1 regular aspirin at the first sign of a heart attack, after dialing 911. Doctors warn, however, that daily aspirin isn't for everyone — especially people who take blood thinners or are prone to digestive irritation. Ask your doctor. Remember that aspirin and cholesterol-lowering medication are no substitute for lifestyle changes.

The actual stress on the heart is fairly mild, but check with your doctor for guidance before you resume sexual activity after a heart attack.

Even with all the information available about risk factors such as age, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, and family history, many people deny that these factors will affect their life.

If you have 1 risk factor, you should address it. But in most instances, multiple risk factors do the damage. Nonetheless, addressing only 1 or 2 of your risk factors - smoking and obesity, for example - can result in a dramatic improvement in your health and reduce your risk.

Many people avoid exercise in the belief that it will do no good unless they perspire heavily and gasp for breath. This is not true. Work on accumulating 40 minutes on average of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity 3 to 4 days a week.

Lives can be saved if people act sooner. If you suffer chest discomfort or shortness of breath, don't wait! Call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room. Extra time increases the chances for death or permanent damage. Medications that break up blood clots can be given quickly at a hospital — possibly saving your life.