Lifestyles that consider heart health are almost universally beneficial, but how one boosts heart health is not necessarily universal. Gender, age and prior medical history can all play roles, according to Dr. Nieca Goldberg. Answers are not one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to exercise.

“A young person who’s already active won’t necessarily need a doctor to tell them it’s OK to exercise,” Goldberg says. “If you’re someone who’s over 50 and have never exercised before — particularly if you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes or previous heart disease — it’s really important to check with your doctor. If you haven’t exercised, they may want to do an exercise stress test before you engage in a moderate to vigorous exercise program to make sure it’s safe.”

Goldberg says those who have had heart issues may need to get cardiac rehabilitation through an organized program of exercise, nutrition and stress management. That is often covered by insurance plans, though duration over coverage may vary, she says.

Goldberg, who specializes in women’s heart health, says when it comes to women and heart disease, the approach stays largely the same in terms of diet and exercise. But everyone can benefit from an approach that is tailored to their interests and abilities.

“I think how we approach diet and exercise counseling is on the individual, whether they’re a man or a woman and really figure out what’s best for that person’s lifestyle,” she says. “We wouldn’t want to recommend an activity that someone hates or that’s difficult for someone to do.”