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Don't take your heart health for granted! A review in the journal JACC looked at data on more than 14,000 participants, ages 30 to 79, in the decade-long National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers concluded that 20% of U.S. adults are at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years -- and that jumps to 90% of adults ages 65 and older.

When they looked even further out -- to 30 years in the future -- they found that while more than two-thirds of folks who are now ages 30 to 59 don't have cardiovascular disease today, down the road, 67% of them will develop it -- and almost 90% of those now ages 45 to 59 will!

What does that mean for you today? Even if you're heart-healthy, chances are you're on the road to heart woes. But you can take an exit ramp and head toward a healthier, heart-happy future.

Ditch all red and red processed meats, highly processed foods, added sugars and excess alcohol. Go for seven to nine servings daily of fresh fruits, veggies and 100% whole grains. Make sure you get at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity -- I suggest 300 minutes a week of aerobics and strength-training and as much walking as you can do. Most importantly, cultivate happiness with a posse, a sense of purpose, and play. You can roll back your ActualAge by more than a decade! I'm 79 but my ActualAge is 57.6. Learn how you can do it too in my book "The Great Age Reboot."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.