More than 61% of Americans (about 184 million people) are projected to have cardiovascular disease by 2050, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The condition — which is often caused by diabetes, excess weight or obesity, chronic stress, inactivity, excessive alcohol use, and unhealthy diets — is already the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Fortunately, research is offering new insights into how to reduce your risks:

• A recent intervention study shows that if you have heart disease, taking a daily dose of vitamin D that brings your blood level of the vitamin/hormone up to 40-80 ng/mL reduces your heart attack risk by at least 10%, and maybe as high as 50%. (Most study participants had to take 5,000 IU daily to reach optimal levels.)

• A scientific statement from the AHA says that when you eat, exercise, and sleep is as important as doing it. That's because disrupting your circadian rhythm harms digestion, lipid processing, body temperature, and hormone release, and increases your risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. So keep a consistent and sufficient sleep schedule, and get most of your food and exercise earlier in the day.

And make sure your blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, bad LDL cholesterol levels, and waist circumference to height ratio are in a healthy range.

In addition, don't smoke or vape or hang around people who do; control stress; see a primary care physician; and keep yearly screenings up to date.