HOMOCYSTEINE

This amino acid can damage arterial walls if it reaches high concentrations in the bloodstream.

YOUR RISK: A routine physical doesn’t include a homocysteine check, but you can take a test for $50 to $100. An ideal level is 6 to 10 micromoles per deciliter of blood for premenopausal women and 8 to 12 micromoles for men and postmenopausal women. The lower the better, even in the normal range

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Controlling homocysteine levels requires adequate intake of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. Ordinary multivitamins contain all three. You may want to increase vitamin B6 intake beyond the 2-milligram recommended daily allowance to 4 mg and folic-acid intake beyond the 200-microgram RDA to 400. If you’re over 65, you may need more than the standard 5 to 15 micrograms of B12. Of these three nutrients, folic acid is the hardest to get from a typical American diet. Good sources include cooked beans (130 to 180 mcg per half cup), spinach (131 mcg per half cup) and orange juice (109 mcg per half cup).

CHOLESTEROL

Oxidized LDL is a major component of arterial plaques.

YOUR RISK: Adults should have their cholesterol checked at least every five years. Tests cost $10 to $20. Total cholesterol should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood. Ideally, LDL (bad) cholesterol should be less than 130 mg/dL, and HDL (good) cholesterol should be at least 35. A good ratio is 3.5 to 1.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Stay physically active, control weight and cut back on saturated fat. When total cholesterol levels exceed 240, most experts recommend drug treatment.

BLOOD PRESSURE

Hypertension raises your risk of heart attack and stroke.

YOUR RISK: Optimal blood pressure is 120/80 millimeters of mercury. Normal systolic is less than 130, and normal diastolic is less than 85.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Lose weight, stop smoking, reduce alcohol and salt intake, and increase potassium intake. Hold your sodium intake to 2,400 milligrams (one teaspoon of salt) each day, and get at least 3,500 mg of potassium. One banana contains 500 mg of potassium, one potato with skin contains 850 mg, and a half cup of spinach contains 400. Avoid convenience foods such as frozen pizza, TV dinners and canned or dried soups.

THE WRONG FATS

Fats aren’t all bad. The unsaturated oils found in fish, nuts and vegetables may help protect your heart.

YOUR RISK: If you’re addicted to deep-fried foods or packaged snacks, you need to change your habits.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Bacon cheeseburgers are easy to avoid, but bad fat comes in less conspicuous packages. To avoid transfatty acids, which elevate bad cholesterol while suppressing the good, you have to read nutrition labels. Avoid products containing partially hydrogenated oils. Hard margarine and solid Crisco are full of them. So are packaged cakes, pies, cookies, crackers and candy bars.

TOO LITTLE FIBER

Odd as it seems, foods you can’t digest are important. Fiber helps you control LDL cholesterol and excrete fat more rapidly.

YOUR RISK: If you’re eating processed foods instead of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you may not get enough fiber.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Eat foods containing at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber every day. A half cup of bran cereal supplies 12.8 grams, a cup of oatmeal 4.1 grams and a pear 4.6 grams. Eat fewer carbohydrates that have been stripped of their fiber, such as white rice, white bread and plain pasta.

INFECTIONS

Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Pophyromonas gingivalis (a common cause of gum disease) may promote arterial disease.

YOUR RISK: Everyone encounters these bugs.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: To keep P. gingivalis in check, floss regularly. You may or may not prevent a heart attack, but you’ll save some teeth.

LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

Babies born small may be more likely to develop heart disease later.

YOUR RISK: During pregnancy, women should gain 28 to 40 pounds if they’re underweight, 25 to 35 pounds if they’re normal weight and 15 to 25 pounds if they’re overweight. Babies should weigh at least 5.5 pounds at birth.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Don’t smoke or diet during pregnancy. Until the baby is born, a typical woman needs to eat an extra 300 calories each day.