Most cardiovascular risk factors can be dealt with

Heart disease remains the most common cause of death in both men and women, but experts say the majority of risk factors associated with the condition are completely modifiable. A healthy diet, exercise and a prescription to buy Lipitor may significantly reduce a person's chances of suffering a heart attack.

Donald Lloyd-Jones, a researcher at Northwestern University, told the Wall Street Journal that high cholesterol and blood pressure, lack of physical activity, poor diet and tobacco use account for 90 percent of the factors that contribute to heart disease. These issues are completely within the ability of the individual to control.

He recognized that genetic factors can lead to high cholesterol and other cardiovascular health risks. However, a healthy lifestyle may overcome these threats.

"You can trump an awful lot of your genetics with choices you make and with medicines if you need them," he told the news source.

More than 16 percent of women and 13 percent of men have unhealthy cholesterol levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these individuals may benefit from a prescription to buy Lipitor.