Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States. Major risk factors for coronary heart disease are smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol (below 40), and family history of early coronary heart disease. A major goal of dietary prevention and treatment of most heart diseases is to attain and maintain weight control at an ideal body weight. Decreasing excess calories, reducing total fat intake, adding fiber, reducing excess intake of refined carbohydrates, and increasing exercise can all help achieve this goal.

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