For baby boomers, exercising, eating right and seeing a doctor regularly couldn’t be more important. 

Leslie Cho, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Cardiovascular Center, says  baby boomers should be prepared with questions to get the most from their primary care visits.

1. How often should I have cholesterol and glucose checked?

Dr. Cho recommends that at age 20, people begin to get their cholesterol and glucose checked. They should also maintain a body weight.

2. Should some people be checked earlier?

Yes. Dr. Cho says people should be checked earlier if they have a family history of early heart disease.

3. What about diet and exercise? 

Baby boomers should talk to their doctors about diet. She often recommends the Mediterranean diet, which she says is “the best out there.” Boomers should engage in “brisk” exercise for at least 30 minutes on “most days,” she says. “If you can’t have more than a three-word conversation, that’s brisk exercise.”