Family history may be a major contributor to the health of a person's heart as well. Keeping these factors in mind and leading a healthy lifestyle may greatly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet may be one of the most important things a person can do to ensure their heart health. Avoiding salty foods may be important, as diets high in sodium may contribute to heart problems. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables may significantly help a person's heart. Fruits and vegetables also contain many vitamins that help to maintain a healthy body.

Good proteins also may contribute to a healthy heart. Lean meat, fish and plant proteins may be a good source of protein. Red meat may be an unhealthy source of protein as they are high in unsaturated fats. Olive oil may help the heart and may be a good choice for cooking or as a salad dressing or other sauce.

A diet high in fiber may provide health benefits for the digestive system and may help to maintain a healthy cholesterol level. Soy may provide added benefits for the heart as well. Sugars, fats and other unhealthy foods should be avoided, as they may serve minimal health benefits.

Getting adequate exercise and staying active may also prove to be a heart healthy choice people make. Keeping the heart muscle strong and maintaining a healthy heart rate may provide added benefits for the heart. Also, keeping stress levels down may play an important role in heart health. Emotional factors, such as stress and other emotional strains, may be detrimental to the heart, so managing stress may also help the heart.

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