While there's nothing you can do about some heart disease risks, such as age, race and family medical history, when it comes to other important factors, you're in control.

'The tragedy of heart disease is that,-90 per cent of vascular events are pre ventable through lifestyle and aggressive treatments," says Dr. David Ostrander, Sharp Hospital cardiologist "Even if you have the beginnings of cardiovascular disease, you can often prevent a heart attack."

• Keep track of your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers. If your numbers are off target, talk to you doctor about how to safely lower them.

• Control diabetes. It's critical that you monitor and control diabetes through medication, regular exercise, weight control, and a low-fat diet

• Don't smoke.

• Know your family's heart history.

• Exercise. The heart is a muscle and it needs regular exercise to stay in shape. Exercise at least 30 minutes (60 minutes is better) most days of the week. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity as well as lower blood pressure in some people.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight puts strain on your heart and arteries.

• Eat a balanced diet emphasizing lots of fruits and vegetables, with a variety of grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, fish, legumes and sources of protein low in saturated fat (poultry, lean meat and plant sources).

• Eat more fish. The omega-3 fatty 1 acids in fish help keep the heartbeat rhythmic and regular, according to studies,

• Re-evaluate your heart disease risk factors with your doctor at least once a year.

Tristan Florence :: The writer is a specialist lifestyle conditioning coach from Australia who is now based in Abu Dhabi.