In the Elderhood Project, we have been learning about the importance of caring for our health as we age.

For seniors, there are a number of risk factors when it comes to the heart - starting with high blood pressure. The list goes on.

"High cholesterol, diabetes, lack of activity. As we get older we become less active so we don't derive the many benefits from exercise as we get older," explained cardiaologist John Krisofich.

And that's the good news. Along with medications that can alleviate some heart problems, exercise is one of the best ways to keep the heart healthy. And it's free.

"We've been doing a lot of research with the Honolulu Heart Program in relation to physical activity such as walking and we have found that the benefits of walking are tremendous especially among the diabetic individuals,"said Dr. Beatriz Rodriguez.

Since Diabetes can lead to heart problems, Dr. Rodriguez studied the effect of walking exercise on seniors with diabetes. She discovered something remarkable about the rate of heart disease in those people.

"Among the people that are very active or that walk approximately a mile and a half per day or more, the rates are similar to the people that don't have diabetes."

Hawaii's diverse population means a major difference in the severity of heart disease.

"Locally, we see big variations with for example, the Native Hawaiians having very high rates of cardio-vascular disease mortality as well as the Filipino as compared for example, the Chinese women may die of cardiovascular disease at age 85, so 20 years later. Big differences."

If the worst happens and a heart attack strikes, it's important to react quickly.

"Time is muscle. It's important to get that artery opened up and salvage whatever heart muscle they can. That's probably the most important thing. It doesn't really matter too much what happens afterwards if you can't to that muscle and open up the artery," said Dr. Kristofich.

And again, both doctors agree, staying active as late in life as possible is the best prevention of heart problems.