It is never too early to develop a healthy lifestyle to help reduce your risk for heart disease. Some of the recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA) are directly related to choices we make regarding our lifestyle. The first recommendation is not to smoke or be exposed to environmental or second hand-smoke. Second, develop an exercise program that works with your schedule. It is recommended that you should accumulate a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., brisk walking) on most, and preferably all, days of the week. Third, keep your weight within the normal limits for your age. Maintain a healthy diet; you should consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables; choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods; consume fish at least twice a week; and limit your intake of saturated fat.
Finally, know your cholesterol numbers. Have your doctor perform the blood tests so you know your levels and maintain them within the normal limits. Check on your family history to see if there is a family history of heart disease that would predispose you to some heredity risk factors. Overall, staying fit, eating healthy and not smoking will help you reduce your risks for developing heart disease.
