One of the best ways to live a long, healthy life is to keep your heart healthy. There are several ways to do this, including diet and exercise, avoiding smoking and keeping regular visits with your doctor for check-ups. Below you will find some more detailed information about how to keep your heart healthy for the long-term. A healthy diet and regular exercise can work wonders in terms of heart health. Most physicians recommend thirty minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Light cardio such as walking or cycling can help keep your heart pumping smoothly, as well as reduce the amount of fat on your body, which will also improve overall health. When this exercise is combined with a diet composed of lean meats, low levels of fat, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, your heart will be less susceptible to disease or heart attack. Good foods to eat for heart health include fish (particularly salmon), egg whites, skim milk, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid things like red meat, processed foods, and foods that are high in saturated fats. Another way to maintain a healthy heart is by avoiding smoking and other practices that could lead to Heart disease. The chemicals that are in tobacco products can have damaging effects on the body, including the narrowing of arteries. This can ultimately lead to heart attack if tobacco use continues. Smoking can also reduce the oxygen levels in the bloodstream, causing the heart to have to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. These complications can be increasingly difficult if you are taking certain medications, so it is always a good idea to check with your physician to see what risks there may be if you are a smoker. However, by avoiding smoking, you can also avoid these risks and decrease your chances of heart disease dramatically. A final tip for keeping a healthy heart is to stay in touch with your physician for regular check-ups. He or she will be able to help you determine what areas you should improve upon, including weight, exercise, and diet. Regular check-ups will also provide you with an opportunity to get feedback from your physician to determine that you are on the right track for achieving your health goals.