Rev. Patrick White said the topic is important to him and he does think about it a lot because heart disease runs in his family. "My father's family have a terrible history with angina," he said. "Thankfully, I don't seem to have inherited the gene because they all experienced problems in their 40s. My father's sister died in her 40s and my father was one of the first people to have heart bypass surgery in Canada. His brother was among the first to have the operation that was the forerunner to bypass surgery."

Knowing the family history, Rev. White said he has regular medical checkups. "I've had stress tests, electrocardiograms and every year I have the blood work done," he said. In his 60s, he considers himself to be healthy and active. "I don't smoke and although I don't have a high commitment workout, I am active naturally," he said. "I will park my car and walk around town and I walk to and from work. I have a Bowflex machine at home and I will get back to using it."

Also in her 60s, Betty Brown said although she doesn't suffer with heart disease and it doesn't run in her family, she does think about it. As a means of staving it off she said: "I try to keep fit."

Retired biology professor Dr. Michael Bradshaw said his professional background prompts him to always consider topics like heart disease.

"My background is such that I know some of the issues," he said. "I have some heavy men in my family and I am particularly concerned about the overweight women because I know the research is that weight is a major factor in causing heart disease for women."

Dr. Bradshaw's wife Janet said the disease is something she thinks about because she suffers with hypertension. In trying to keep her heart as healthy as possible, she said: "I walk daily as a form of exercise and I am careful with our diet."

In her early 30s Niamah Denbrook has friends her age who have suffered heart palpitations. "Yes, it's something I think about. Because I've had a few friends with heart palpitations, I get a bit scared. I make sure to exercise at least half an hour every day and I eat healthier than when I was in my 20s. I recognise the need to be preventative," she said.

In her 40s, Valerie Dill became anaemic. "My iron count was so low it went down to four or five," she said. (Normal iron counts are 10-30 µmol/L). The anaemia meant she had less oxygen circulating in her body. This caused her heart to enlarge. Although the problem has been corrected at 60 years old Mrs. Dill admitted that she is concerned about keeping her heart healthy.

"Because of the anaemia I had to wait a whole year before they could operate," she said. "I was scared. Once I felt better I kept up with exercise. I walk and I love to dance so I dance every Friday night."

Heart disease confronts Sonia McCluskie every day. "I think about it daily because I have a heart condition," she said. "I have atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (irregular heart rhythm). I've been to Lahey (The Lahey Clinic in Massachusetts) twice and had two ablations (treatment to correct the problem)."

Ms McCluskie discovered the problem two years ago when she was 44.

Since then she said she exercises more and eats better. "I have a lot less fat and eat more salads, although I cannot eat too much salad because it has an adverse affect with the medication I am currently on."

She is not the only one keeping a close eye on her diet.

"I constantly watch the foods I eat and I am ever mindful of bad lifestyle and the danger of being sedentary," said retired Police Inspector John Dale. He said he tries to exercise regularly and have a regular annual exam.

"But I think more people need to take notice of the information that is around," he said.

He's also concerned that heart disease only seems to be treated once someone has suffered a heart attack.

"I would like to be able to have exams now that would point out where my artery might be blocked or be in danger of being blocked," he said. "I think that would be more helpful in saving lives."