If you’re reading this article, it’s safe to say that you’re not only interested in learning more about heart health, but also in ways to keep it going strong for many years to come.

While everyone is different, there is a school of thought that your heart age does not always correlate with your chronological age.

“Heart disease age” refers to a person’s risk level for stroke or heart attack.Y our heart age is often affected by factors such as your chronological age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and lifestyle habits.

The Heart Age Calculator is a tool that helps people understand their risk for cardiovascular events by evaluating known cardiac risk factors to assess a person’s risk compared to a defined healthy range. Heart age that is older than a person’s current age indicates an increased modifiable risk of cardiac events.

According to the National Institute on Aging, some signs that your heart may be aging include chest pain during physical activity, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should definitely see a cardiologist to make sure your heart is functioning up to par.

That said, there are ways to roll back your heart’s age through lifestyle changes and preventive measures that you can implement at any stage of your life. Here are some ways to keep your heart young, according to cardiologists:

1.Lower Your LDL Cholesterol

First and foremost, you need to focus on LDL cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol.

The higher your risk, the lower you want your LDL cholesterol (or “bad cholesterol”) to be.

For most people, we want LDL levels below 100 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) to prevent heart attack and/or stroke. But for patients with heart disease, we now recommend LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL.

Not sure what your LDL cholesterol level is? Next time you see your doctor, ask for a coronary calcium scan to find out. This type of blood test is also fairly standard during routine physical exams.

2.Engage In Regular Exercise

The American Heart Association recommends that individuals exercise at least 150 minutes per week. This includes aerobic and weight-bearing exercises such as using light dumbbells, walking, or swimming.

Exercise can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and help maintain a healthy weight.

Any type of exercise is healthy—even walking, dancing, cleaning, or gardening. Need some motivation? Find yourself a workout partner. This can help keep you accountable and even provide an opportunity to connect with friends at the same time.

3.Lower Your Stress Levels

Whether you’re constantly stressed out at work or stressed out by a never-ending to-do list at home, you need to find ways to manage your stress levels to protect your heart health. According to the American Heart Association, chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Don’t know where to start? Exercise, meditation, and breathing exercises have been shown to help reduce stress levels and even increase endorphins. To help with these issues, as well as any significant stressors in your life (such as those related to finances or caregiving), it may also be worth seeing a therapist. A mental health professional can provide you with tools to help you manage your anxiety.

4.Eat Nutritious Foods

That’s not to say you can’t have cake, but you’ll also need to add lean protein, fruits, and vegetables to many of your meals.

The Mediterranean diet, which includes a balance of fatty fish, nuts and legumes, has been shown to be beneficial. Another good rule of thumb is to “have a rainbow on your plate,” and eat a diet rich in antioxidant-rich fresh fruits and vegetables.

In addition, board-certified cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, founder and chief medical officer of Step One Foods, recommends consuming adequate whole food fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytosterols. You can find these in foods like nuts, fish, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables (to name a few).

5.Stop Smoking And Vaping

Smoking and vaping are not only harmful to your lungs, but also to your heart health because of the chemicals you inhale while doing these activities.

Many of these constrict blood vessels, cause inflammation and affect blood pressure and heart rate.

It may not seem like it at the moment, but the consequences of smoking always add up. If you’re having trouble quitting, there are resources and other types of help available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

6.Get Enough Sleep

Most adults can benefit from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Not only does sleep help with memory and growth, it also helps reduce the risk of diseases that can be harmful to the heart.

Getting enough sleep has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity and high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for poor heart health.

People who have trouble sleeping should consult a sleep medicine doctor to determine the underlying cause and suggest possible treatment options.

7.Learn About Your Genetics

While you can actively change some factors (such as weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol) to help prevent heart failure, there are also “non-modifiable” factors that are genetically based.

If you have a first-degree relative (such as a parent or sibling) who had heart disease when you were younger, you are at greater risk of the same thing happening to you. Knowing this in advance is beneficial because it means you can take extra steps to prevent this from happening, such as seeing a cardiologist for screening in advance.