For years, few women realized the dangers of heart disease. But the dark ages are over. "We've finally gotten the message across," says Ellen Gordon, a cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa. "Women know the risks, and they also know what to do about them, from exercising and eating a healthy diet to keeping an eye on cholesterol and blood pressure."

There have been some real payoffs. The number of women (and men) with a dangerously high level of the "bad" cholesterol -- a key trigger of cardiovascular disease -- fell by about a third between 1999 and 2006, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in November. Smoking rates continue to decline. 

Yet there's still progress to be made: Heart attacks have become more common in women under 55 in the past two decades, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Southern California and the University of California-Los Angeles. And that's especially tragic because approximately nine out of 10 heart attacks can be prevented, research reveals. 

With National Heart Month in February, there's no better time to commit to getting a healthier heart. Top experts share their best advice for every age. 

In Your 20s
Establish good habits now and they'll keep you healthy for years to come.

Don't start smoking. It's a no-brainer, yes, but surveys show that women who take up smoking most often do so in their early 20s (not their teens, as used to be true). If you already smoke, get serious about kicking the habit. The sooner you do, the easier it will be.

Make time for exercise. Staying in shape is the cornerstone of maintaining a healthy weight and keeping heart disease at bay. Put it in your schedule as you would any appointment.

Drink in moderation. True, much-touted studies have suggested alcohol consumption may protect against heart disease. But women in their 20s are at low risk of heart attack, so the downsides of drinking far outweigh any benefits. If you drink, limit your intake to one glass of wine, beer, or spirits a day.

Treat depression and anxiety. "There's good evidence that depression and anxiety increase the risk of heart disease in women," says C. Noel Bairey Merz, director of the Women's Heart Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, in Los Angeles. Mental-health issues may make it harder for women to follow a healthy lifestyle and may even harm the heart directly. It's best to seek help early.