It is never too late to find ways to help to prevent heart disease. Consider making minor daily changes could make a massive difference in keeping your heart healthy.

Know your family history; it is crucial to know as much about your family medical history as possible. If your family has a history of strokes and heart attacks, it might be a good idea to keep a medical journal. It should keep track of each family member and any health illnesses. And when your children get older, pass it down to them.

Get an annual physical. We all get caught up in our daily routine and sometimes are so busy taking care of others that we neglect to take care of ourselves. Remember, we can not take care of our loved ones if we are not healthy. If you are in your late 30’s or mid 40’s, you need to be proactive and talk to you doctor about a stress to test for your heart or ultrasound that can pick up any abnormalities. The key here is to educate yourself and be comfortable to approach your doctor.

Examine your current diet. Make simple switches to your diet by replacing butter with olive oil or canola oil. Consume higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids as they are incredibly heart-healthy. For vegetarians, you may supplement with golden flaxseed oil. Replace processed foods with whole grains, fruits, nuts and steamed vegetables. Take your multivitamins and add some COq10 to help those heart muscles do their job efficiently. Besides, we all bring lunch from home with a bit of planning, quick, easy, healthy and tasty lunches can be prepared, and you save quite a bit of money as well.

Find windows of opportunities to exercise. You can try to take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Walk up the escalator instead of standing. Squeeze in some jumping jacks and toe touches while making dinner. Play a few rounds of boxing on the Wii with your children. Watch television while walking on your treadmill. These are numerous ways to add physical activity to what would otherwise be a stagnant use of time. It is incredible where you can squeeze in a few motions to boost the heart rate.

Following some or all of the tips mentioned can help you maintain a healthy heart. Healthy Living is Happy Living, so make one new heart-healthy habit every day.