Friday marks the American Heart Association's national "Wear Red Day," which brings awareness to heart disease in women who die more often from heart diesease then all cancers combined, according to the association's website.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease and stroke cost the nation over $400 billion in health costs and lost productivity. One in every three deaths is from heart disease.
Amanda Trotter, a counselor at Gainesville Health & Fitness Center, works with clients to lower their risk.
Trotter, who lost her father to a heart attack, stresses knowing your family's history of heart disease.
"You have to ask your parents. Ask, ask, ask. Ask you aunts, ask your uncles, ask everybody in your family what's your family history," she said.
Dr. Michael Stellefson of the University of Florida Department of Health Education and Behavior, recommends consulting a doctor or physician before beginning any workout routine, though exercise is important in preventing heart disease.
"If you are going to exercise set smart goals make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound so that you have something to shoot for each week," Stellefson said.
Raphael Konforti, a trainer at UF RecSports, reassures that exercise does not restrict workouts to the gym. He said there are other ways to fit in cardio without spending a lot of time in the gym.
He said cardio can be "anything from walking to chasing your dog around or throwing the ball around the yard."
Sarah Brand edited this story online.