Food...

Annual death tolls from sudden cardiac episodes among young women have risen nearly 30-percent since 1989, according to a recent study. Here are six foods that can lower your risk of heart disease.

1. Fish
(Can cut risk up to 50-percent)
The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish a week. Research now shows that eating at least one serving of fish each week can cut your risk of dying from a heart-related disease in half.

2. Apples
(Can cut risk up to 50-percent)
An apple or two a day really may help keep doctor visits at bay. Research has shown that drinking 12 ounces of apple juice or eating two whole apples a day can reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Another study done in the Netherlands found that the phytochemicals in apples could help cut the risk of death from heart disease or stroke in half.

3. Walnuts
(Can cut risk up to 45-percent)
Walnuts contain a type of fat called linolenic acid, which lowers cholesterol and prevents blood clots. In fact, a study found that eating walnuts could decrease your total cholesterol level by 12 percent and LDL cholesterol level by 16 percent.

4. Olive Oil
(Can cut risk up to 40-percent)
Of all cooking oils, olive oil contains the largest proportion (77-percent) of monounsaturated fat, which lowers LDL cholesterol without affecting HDL levels. In cardiology-speak, that is called "improving your cholesterol ratio". Olive oil is obtained from the whole fruit, making it high in plant phenols, which are powerful antioxidants.