Effects of Weight Training on Heart Conditions

[Genius]

My dad had a mild heart attack the other day. This really started my wheels spinning on a few things. I've been lifting for around 8 years now, and am about to turn 22 in August. Since I have had a somewhat fast metabolism, I've been eating on a pretty open diet for the past years. Since my sights were set on muscle gains, I ate a lot of red meat, eggs, whole milk, and so forth. Plus, since I do live in Texas, we have the good ole' Southern cooking that will give just about anyone a heart attack (Mexican food, and barbecue weekly). Will weight training and cardio workouts help with heart health? Will eating whatever I want like I have been for so many years still slowly cause me to have heart conditions down the road? I was wondering if weight training plays any role in helping to prevent heart conditions down the road.

[rem1956]

Well, I can't answer all your questions, but I will say this much.....exercise is NOT the major part of the equation. diet is the key. I workout 3-4 times a week, doing weights and cardio. I thought I was healthy, and didn't watch my diet closely. I tried too eat healthy (I thought). Imagine my shock when I found out my triglyceride and LDL/HDL levels. I am now paying more attention to diet and a little less focused on exercise.