How to live longer

Now’s the time to get vigilant about heart health, suggests a new study. It found that if your ticker’s in good shape in your mid-50s (you don’t have high blood pressure or diabetes and don’t smoke), you’re far less likely to die of a heart attack in old age. The study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, examined more than 255,000 people aged 45, 55, 65 and 75, and found that a 55-year-old woman with no risk factors was 14 percent less likely to die of a heart attack before 80.

Bottom line: Good lifestyle choices now will pay off in the long run. Cook from scratch, watch your portion size and stay active now to make sure your heart will stay healthy for a long time.