Checking with a physician before beginning an exercise program is particularly important for people over the age of 40 or for people with known or suspected heart disease. Cocaine use is a leading cause for heart attacks in young people and needless to say, should be strongly discouraged. Scientists have recently learned that high levels of a chemical, homocysteine , in the blood is associated with an elevated risk of heart disease. Treatment with certain specific vitamins can lower the level and may reduce the future risk of arteriosclerosis. To learn more about this, ask your physician.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
It is hoped that we can reduce this threat by making the public aware of the risk factors for heart disease and the steps they can take to lower their risk. Assess your risk of having heart disease. See Warning Signs from the American Heart Association or the Coronary Risk Assessment from the International Task Force for Prevention of Coronary Disease .