I and my friends know several of our friends who ate right, did not smoke or drink (not excessively at least), exercised-and developed heart disease.
So what is needed to ensure a strong heart? Here are a few things you may or may not have thought about.

1. check your blood pressure regularly.
   If it is erratic, see your doctor for medication.
   
2. manage your stress.
   
3. manage your weight.
   
4. check your pulse regularly.
   Irregular heart beat and pulse are the first symptoms of arithmia and heart complications
5. a bit uncomfortable as it is, if you have history of heart problems in your family, and you are over the age of 40, get an angiogram.
   In fact, insist on it.
   Because the regular exam doctors give you-checking your carotid artery, ekg - are useless as symptoms.
   Only angiogram can truly tell you if you have a weak heart muscle, or if the oxgenation is adequate.
   
6. again, an MRI scan of the brain is not necessary, but preferred since brain is very vulnerable to poor oxygen flow when heart condition exists.
   MRI can detect prior scars etc.
   
7. most doctors are too polite to tell you to lose weight.
   Ask your doctor point blank if you are fat or if you need to lose weight.
   
8. watch your diet.
   It is critical that your reduce your fat and carb intake.
   
9. key indications of heart condition are: excessive perspiration, tiredness, day-sleepiness and irregular pulse.
   
10. exercise regularly.
    But if you have a history, consult your doctor first.
    It is a good idea to exercise at least 3 hours a week, in 20 to 30 minute sessions.
    
11. alcohol consumption should be minimal.
    Most people think wine is healthy.
    It is not.
    The amount of nutrient that gets through to your bloodstream through wine is negligible, while a lot of other bad things get in-sugar, sulphites etc.
    
12. a bad or poorly functioning liver or kidney can also lead to heart condition, so check those as well.
    
13. probably the worst culprit is diabetes.
    Avoid getting diabetic if you can.
    If you are a diabetic, get on an aggressive medicine schedule.
    Most people who have diabetes think they can beat it through diet, exercise.
    Only a fraction of such success stories exist and the people you read about, are usually world class athletes who maintain a scruplous regimen of diet and exercise.
    Most of us cannot.
    

Good luck.