Women can incorporate these simple habits into their everyday routines to promote long-term heart health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, though only about half of women are aware of this fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What’s more, women who have heart disease may experience fewer or different symptoms than men. In fact, two-thirds of women who die suddenly due to coronary artery disease or heart disease exhibit no prior symptoms. Women are also more prone to citing shortness of breath, dizziness, pain in the neck, jaw, upper abdomen or back, as well as angina—a sense of pressure or discomfort in the chest—when experiencing a heart attack.

In recognition of National Wear Red Day, the American Heart Association’s day of advocacy and awareness for women’s heart health, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner Kathleen Woodruff shared these tips to help women minimize their risk of heart disease.

1. Undergo regular screenings with your primary care provider

Major risk factors for heart disease include diabetes, hypertension, high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. “While some of these conditions are genetic, their effects can often be mitigated by taking a proactive and preventative approach,” Woodruff said.

She suggests scheduling regular checkups with your health care provider to identify and address any potential risk factors. If you’re not sure whether you need to be tested for specific conditions, refer to the American Heart Association’s guidelines, which suggest screening frequencies based on age, health and pre-existing risk factors.

2. Eliminate unhealthy habits

Unhealthy habits like alcohol consumption and smoking are proven to increase one’s risk for heart disease. According to a recent study published in Alcohol Research and Health, smoking and drinking can both increase blood pressure and levels of triglycerides and elevate one’s risk of stroke and congestive heart failure.

The American Heart Association also states that drinking excessively or binge drinking introduces serious risks, including stroke, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. To reduce your risk of these conditions, Woodruff suggests cutting out smoking completely and limiting alcohol consumption to a maximum of one drink per day.

3. Exercise regularly

By conditioning the heart to be stronger and more resilient, regular exercise not only helps to regulate weight, but it keeps blood pressure and cholesterol levels low. For the average person, health care professionals recommend 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise every week—averaging out to approximately 45 minutes of exercise five days per week.

However, CDC research reveals that just 18 percent of women get the total recommended amount of exercise. Woodruff acknowledges that getting enough exercise is a challenge for many women, who may be busy providing for their families, working or attending school, but that maintaining an active lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym: “Park at the far end of the parking lot, take a brisk walk during your lunch break or make it a point to take the stairs instead of the elevator every day,” she said.

Woodruff also suggests wearable biometric devices like Fitbit, which she believes can help the average person become more active. “I like to set daily reminders on my Fitbit to help me meet a predetermined goal, so even if I’m busy at work, I remember to get up and move,” she said.

4. Maintain a heart healthy diet

Some major risk factors for heart disease include diabetes and being overweight. As such, it’s vital to maintain a diet that supports a healthy weight and low cholesterol while promoting overall heart health.

Integrate more fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your diet and limit fat intake by avoiding trans fats and keeping saturated fat consumption to a maximum of around 6 percent of your daily calorie intake (approximately 13g if you follow a daily 2,000 calorie diet). Regulate your sodium intake, and opt for low-fat proteins like fish, legumes, eggs, skinless poultry and lean ground meats instead of high-fat red meat or fried meat.

5. Invest in your mental health

According to the American Psychological Association, women are 40 percent more likely than men to report having a great deal of stress in their lives. At the same time, women are more likely to experience physical and emotional symptoms of stress than men, including headaches, stomachaches and indigestion.

It’s critical to find ways to reduce stress, since chronic stress and anxiety can increase one’s risk of heart disease. “Women often juggle many responsibilities at once, which means their mental health is not a top priority,” Woodruff said.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to minimize stress in your daily life. Among the most effective are exercising, spending time with friends and loved ones, and practicing mindfulness. “It is hard to overstate the positive effects of investing in your own mental health,” Woodruff said.