"Steps such as quitting smoking and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol could save more than 200,000 Americans a year, a report finds."

"At least 200,000 Americans die needlessly each year due to heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, and more than half of these deaths occur in people younger than 65, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All of these premature deaths could be prevented by quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, keeping cholesterol levels in check and taking aspirin when recommended by a physician, public health experts said.

"These findings are really striking. We're talking about hundreds of thousands of deaths that don't have to happen," said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the CDC. "It's possible for us to make rapid and substantial progress in reducing these deaths.""

Monte Morin reports for the Los Angeles Times September 3, 2013. [2]