The term heart disease is generally used to refer to a more specific condition called coronary artery disease (CAD), a chronic disease in which the coronary arteries gradually harden and narrow. If you have this condition, know that effective strategies exist to help control it. Changes in lifestyle and health practices can reduce the speed at which atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or other heart-related problems develop.

Some of the most common strategies for living with CAD and slowing its progression include:

1. Learning your family medical history -- and learning from it
   Family medical history can greatly increase (or decrease) the risk of developing certain medical conditions, including coronary artery disease and related problems such as heart attack and stroke. Some people develop a medical family tree and bring it with them to their doctor. A complete family tree traces a family's medical history through several generations and can help you and your doctor assess your health risks and determine what steps may help you stay healthier longer.
   
   
2. Eating a heart-healthy diet
   Research supports the idea that health is affected by diet. The fiber, vitamins and minerals found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been shown to be helpful to heart health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently recommended that dietary fiber intake be between 25 and 30 grams daily.
   
   In contrast, saturated fat, trans fat and hydrogenated oils have been shown to be particularly harmful because they can speed up the development of coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and obesity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently began requiring that food companies list the amount of trans fat, in addition to the levels of saturated fat and overall fat, in the nutritional information on product labels.