Almost half of people in the U.S. have a cardiovascular condition of some kind, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke risk, or high blood pressure. About 40% of them also contend with major depression, while another 20% to 30% have mild symptoms of depression.

If only there was something simple people could do that would help them avoid that double whammy of health risks.

In fact, there is. A new 10-year study looked at data on more than 50,000 people and found that using physical exercise to reduce stress and help alleviate depression cut risk of cardiovascular disease almost in half.

And those participants who didn't contend with depression saw physical activity reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by 23%.

The benefits kick in when you get 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening weekly.

People dealing with depression saw added heart-health benefits when they got even more exercise.

But don't stop there. You can also reduce stress and protect your heart health by building a supportive posse, finding a purpose, and practicing meditation. One study found that having a sense of purpose reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, and lowers the chance of coronary artery bypass surgery by 19%.

Another study found that increased social support is associated with higher levels of physical activity and lower risk for heart disease.

And 15 minutes of meditation daily can help people with heart disease reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, and death by 48%.