What you eat and drink, your activity level, how you cope with stress and other individual lifestyle factors help determine the health of your heart. Heart disease is a progressive condition that can start early in life but can also be prevented or controlled by making smart lifestyle choices.

Your body produces cortisol in response to a perceived threat, promoting the burst of energy that allows you to run or fight.

Stress tests offer medical professionals a means to detect signs that you may have coronary artery disease or an arrhythmia. Analyzing the results of your test is best left to a cardiologist. You and your cardiologist can discuss what they mean, because a positive stress test may not be definitive.

The cardiovascular system consists of your heart and blood vessels and is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Physical activity strengthens your cardiovascular system — "

Some sports that can help you stay healthy are low cost and highly effective at getting you into shape. Many participate in sports because it is fun but there are also a number of health benefits associated with staying active.

Heart rate is controlled by electrical signals sent through heart tissue. A healthy adult heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. Many people, however, experience an elevated heart rate and for a variety of reasons.

Your cardiovascular system consists of your heart, blood vessels and blood. All of these work together to deliver nutrients and oxygen to, and remove waste from, the cells of your body.

The heart pumps blood through the body to provide nutrients and remove waste from the body’s tissues. The body requires more nutrients and produces more wastes as you exercise. Your body reacts to these and other changes by increasing the speed at which your heart beats.

Your heart contains four valves: pulmonary, aortic, tricuspid and mitral. According to the Mayo Clinic, calcification of one of these valves can occur as you grow older. However, it also can occur if you do not watch your diet and eat foods high in cholesterol or fat.

Prednisone is a steroid prescription medication that is used to decrease the body's immune response. This medication can be administered in pill, liquid and intravenous forms and is prescribed for several different problems.

A stress test is a clinical standard often used to detect coronary artery disease. Traditionally, this test is performed on the treadmill. Modern advances in technology allow physicians to administer it without making the patient do any physical work, via chemical means.

Scary though they may be, palpitations are rarely threatening on their own. However, in some cases they are indicators of underlying problems. If you don't get enough exercise, heart palpitations might be your body trying to send you an important message.