Healthy Heart

1. Eat a healthy diet. The American Heart Association suggests that healthy Americans two years of age and older should limit their total fat intake to no more than 30 percent of their calories. Cholesterol intake should be less than 300 milligrams per day and sodium intake no more than 2,400 milligrams (2.4 grams) per day.

2. Take a multivitamin. "A growing body of research shows us the link between vitamins, overall nutrition and heart health," says Edmund H. Sonnenblick, M.D., Chief Emeritus, Division of Cardiology, Jack D. Weiler Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Vitamin formulas created to support heart health, such as Theragran Heart Right, provide all the essential vitamins and key minerals plus micronutrients that medical research suggests may have cardiovascular benefit: Vitamins C, E, B6 and B12, folic acid, carotenoids, selenium and magnesium. "Clearly micronutrient supplementation can never replace a healthy diet or lifestyle, but given the importance of cardiovascular nutrition, it only makes sense to take a supplement," says Sonnenblick.

3. Exercise. Physical activity contributes to health by reducing the heart rate, decreasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and reducing the amount of bone loss that is associated with age and osteoporosis. It can increase basal metabolic rate, reduce appetite, and help in the reduction of body fat. Sara Donovan, walking expert and founder of WalkSport America, Inc., a company that delivers high-tech tracking systems for walkers, says it's important to work up to walking aerobically. "Walking is easy, can be done anywhere, and doesn't require expensive equipment," says Donovan.

4. Don't smoke. Nearly one in five deaths from cardiovascular diseases is caused by smoking. Non-smokers also die as a result of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. The nicotine in cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to narrow, which can increase the chances of having a heart attack.

5. Almost everyone deals with stress each day. The trick is to learn how to deal with it. Experts suggest relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. Another good idea is to get away from it all every once in a while. Find a method that works for you and stick with it.

For more information on heart health, check out the American Heart Association web site at http://www.americanheart.org.