Like the rest of your body, your heart changes as you get older: Its valves and arteries thicken and may become stiffer, and heart muscle cells may degenerate slightly. While these changes can cause the heart to work harder, they don't necessarily mean you're doomed to develop cardiovascular disease.
In fact, studies suggest that people who adhere to a heart-healthy lifestyle can lower their risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 80%whatever their age or family history. My father had a heart attack at 49, so I've long focused on keeping my own heart in tip-top shape. The following strategies have helped me do just that.
KICK BAD HABITS
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