Maintaining a Healthy Heart

[MikeOH58]

Hey Doc.

I'm looking for some general advice and practices for maintaining a healthy heart. The last three men in my family to have passed away have all been from my fathers side, and all died of a heart attack. It has me worried that there is the potential for heart disease in the family, and i'd like to take all the possible steps towards increases my chances of maintaing a healthy heart and avoiding a heart attack in old age.

I just quit smoking, and i'm starting to exercise again. As soon as my lungs feel healthy I will begin jogging in the morning. Aside from this, what are some good preventitive tips that one could take to maintaining a healthy heart. (diet, suppliments etc...)

thank you.

mp

[My Flight Surgeon]

Keep your weight at ideal body weight (100# for the first 5 feet + 6#/inch over 5 feet), keep your LDL cholesterol under 100 and your total cholesterol under 200, don't smoke, exercise moderately, limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks (a drink is 4 oz wine, 12 oz beer or 1 oz hard liquor) a day. Also keep your stress in your life under control. Unfortunately, you can't select your ancestors