For the first time in more than a decade, heart disease surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death in New Hampshire, statistics from 2018 – released Monday – showed.

More than 2,600 New Hampshire residents died from heart disease that year, the state Department of Health and Human Services said.

Nationally, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. About 647,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, accounting for one in every four deaths. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are major risk factors for heart disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following steps can be taken to lessen the chance of or prevent heart disease:

• Don’t smoke or use tobacco: One of the best things you can do for your heart is to stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco. Even if you’re not a smoker, be sure to avoid secondhand smoke. Chemicals in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels.

• Get moving: Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of activity daily: Regular, daily physical activity can lower your risk of heart disease. Physical activity helps you control your weight and reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

• Eat a heart-healthy diet: A healthy diet can help protect your heart, improve your blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. A heart-healthy eating plan includes, vegetables and fruits; beans or other legumes; lean meats and fish; low-fat or fat-free dairy foods; whole grains; and healthy fats, such as olive oil.

• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight – especially around your middle – increases your risk of heart disease. Excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of developing heart disease – including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

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