The South Beach Heart Program was developed by Arthur Agatson, MD, author of the popular South Beach Diet book series. The program consists of four steps:

• Heart-healthy eating according to South Beach diet principles
• Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, and core-strengthening exercise
• Diagnostic testing including both routine blood pressure and blood lipid measurements, as well as newer tests such as blood lipoprotein subfractions, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and heart scanning to detect atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries supplying the heart
• Using medications and supplements as necessary to reduce heart disease risk factors

Best bets: Emphasize low-glycemic-index carbs like whole grains, salad vegetables, and fruits like pears and apples. Choose healthy monounsaturated fats instead of disease-promoting saturated fats. Look for South Beach diet products and see our Low-Glycemic-Index Diet article for more information.