Healthy eating habits can lower cardiovascular disease risk ::

In the U.S., heart disease kills more people each year than any other health condition. Nearly one in three American adults is currently suffering from cardiovascular disease, which predisposes people to stroke, heart attack and heart failure, according to WebMD.

In an effort to help control the epidemic that is heart disease, the American Heart Association (AHA) reviewed 74 previous studies and issued new recommendations for people looking to reduce their risk of suffering a cardiovascular-related event.

Among other suggestions, the AHA recommends that individuals work harder to control certain lifestyle factors associated with heart disease risk, including poor eating habits that lead to obesity.

Officials with the organization urge overweight individuals to concentrate more on their behaviors than their health outcomes, Health Day News reports. For example, people should focus more on eating healthy rather than ly monitoring their blood pressure levels.

They also suggest that obese individuals honestly assess their diet, and then try to set realistic goals.

If you look at weight loss, plenty of studies show that those who are successful are the ones that write down honestly what they eat every day, said Mary Ann McLaughlin, president of the AHA\'s New York City Board of Directors.

Health experts estimate that cardiovascular disease lowers Americans\' average life expectancy by seven years, according to the news source.