The following tips have been approved by the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institutes Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation Program:

• Achieve and maintain your optimal weight.
• Choose an exercise activity you enjoy - it should be fun.
• Do not smoke - if you do, STOP! Ask your doctor for more information about stop-smoking programs.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Exercise 30 to 40 minutes 3 to 5 times per week.
• Fit your exercise into your daily routine. Brush your teeth, then exercise!
• Get your blood pressure checked. Normal BP is less than 120/80.
• Get your risk factors checked by your doctor every five years, beginning at age 20.
• If you are more than 30 pounds overweight, you are at an increased health risk.
• If you drink more than one drink per day for women and more than two drinks per day for men, you are at an increased risk for stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, high triglycerides, and heart failure.
• If you have 2 or more risk factors, your LDL ("bad cholesterol") should be less than 100 (may be lower based on your risk factors & medical history).
• If you have high triglycerides, try decreasing the amount of sugars in your diet (pop, sweets, fruit juices and alcohol).
• If you have too much fat, especially in the waist, you are at higher risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
• If your waistline is measured at more than 35 inches for women or more than 40 inches for men, you are at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes.
• Know your LDL "bad cholesterol" level & adjust your lifestyle to optimize the value.
• Make your exercise count. It should be moderate intensity, aerobic, 30 to 60 minutes, at least 3 & ideally 5 times per week, and safe.
• Park farther away and walk to where you are going.
• Put on an hour-long movie on your video player and walk on the treadmill until it is done.
• Regular physical activity, at moderate intensity) helps reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
• Your HDL, the "good cholesterol," should be higher than 45 mg/dl.

• An aspirin a day may do wonders; ask your doctor.
• Bring a list of all the medications you are taking whenever you visit your doctor.
• Exercise and stop smoking, it can save your life. These are the most consistently effective therapies for atherosclerosis.
• Learn about your condition, keep accurate records, and ask questions.
• Learn about your medications; memorize their names and how often you take them.
• Studies show that appropriate exercise (walking, leg exercises, and treadmill exercise) can relieve chronic leg pain within three months.
• Talk to your doctor about medication options if you cannot lower your cholesterol level with diet alone.
• Your LDL ("bad cholesterol") should be less than 100 mg/dl & in some cases, less than 70 mg/dl.

• Avoid prepared foods. Most are loaded with fat, salt and sugar
• Avoid snack foods that contain partially hydrogenated oils, an ingredient that indicates the food contains trans fat.
• Balance your animal, fish and vegetable sources of protein.
• Challenge yourself to try a new healthy recipe each week. Enjoy new foods & establish a family favorite.
• Choose 5 to 9 servings of fruit & vegetables each day.
• Choose healthy snacks - Try fruit, yogurt, cut-up vegetables, or mix cereal with dried fruits and a small amount of nuts.
• Choose nonfat or skim milk dairy products.
• Don't fry that chicken. Broil it. Microwave it. Bake it.
• Drink plenty of water (unless you are fluid restricted).
• Eat breakfast. Start the day on the right foot.
• Eat more fiber. Try to include at least 3 whole grain foods each day.
• Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes.
• Eat no more than 6 ounces of meat, fish and poultry each day - Fill your plate with healthy vegetables and fruits.
• Front-load your calories - to help you lose weight & stay energized, eat the majority of your calories during "daylight" hours.
• If you're cooking meat, fish or poultry, try roasting, poaching or braising instead of frying.
• Lay off the regular mayonnaise. Try mustard, fat-free dressings, or vinegar.
• Less than 7 percent of your fat intake should come from saturated fats (animal fats & tropical oils).
• Limit your simple carbohydrates (soda pop, sugar, and sweets).
• Read food labels. Make heart-healthy choices.
• Stay away from fad diets. Plan a safe, life-long nutrition plan. If you need help, speak to a dietitian.
• To lose weight and lower cholesterol, eat fewer calories and exercise regularly.
• Try eating meat-free one day a week. It will give you a new slant on eating.
• Try stir-frying your meat, poultry and fish with broth instead of oil. It's called "stir-sizzling" and it's tasty.
• When traveling, bring along heart healthy snacks to avoid fast food temptations.
• When you go to the grocery, spend time in the produce aisle; discover new fruits and vegetables.
• You don't have to cut fat out of your diet entirely; but you must choose your fats wisely.
• Your daily fat intake should range from 25-35% of total calories; choose unsaturated fats most often.

• Lifestyle practices should start early in life. Go for a walk, bike ride or just play with your children regularly.
• Long-term lifestyle changes are what count. Select & participate in lifetime activities such as tennis, walking, cycling, x-country skiing.
• Make activity a family affair. Set at least 30 minutes aside each week to do a fun, family physical activity & improve family health.
• Buddy up with a friend & make it a fun, social & healthy experience.
• Listen to your favorite music or watch a TV program while exercising.
• Exercise helps to decrease stress, body fat and blood pressure and increase your flexibility, strength, heart's efficiency, bone strength and self-esteem.
• If you are on a weight loss plan - plan strategies to keep the weight off or maintain your healthy, new weight.
• Keep a log of your exercise - you can track the improvements in your stamina.