Ways to delay effects of aging heart...

Risk factors that you have some control over include high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. 'Atherosclerosis' once thought to be an aging disorder is now known to be a progressive narrowing of arteries over time which is fed by rich diets, high in cholesterol and fats and aggravated by smoking and high blood pressure.

People who work out seriously and continuously for most of a decade has been seen to cut their age related decline of maximal heart rate in half. So maintaining a healthy diet and regular activity level and stopping unhealthy habits like smoking go a long way in controlling heart related problems.

Check ups
Age 35 is a good time to get your blood checked out, especially your cholesterol levels ( a base level blood count and a full lipid profile) and blood pressure, and have a follow up every other year. Consider getting a CT scan at 40, if there is a strong incidence of heart disease or heart attack in your family. People aged 30 and older, who are more prone for a heart disease risk, like people having a sudden new pain, and those who are smokers and have a family history of diabetes or have diabetes should have a baseline ECG Test .

Smoking
Minimize or quit smoking. Smoking and tobacco-related health complications are the single largest cause of preventable, premature death. The prime ingredients in cigarettes such as tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine are instigators of cardiovascular diseases and lung ailments.