Get to the gym on a regular basis, eat less fat, lose weight, stop smoking: That has been the usual advice for protecting the heart without medicine. Here are five lesser-known steps, based on the latest scientific research, that may help keep your heart healthy.

Do eat plenty of produce. It could double the reduction of risk. A new two-month study found that consuming eight daily servings of fruit and vegetables lowered the blood level of C-reactive protein (CRP) by an average of 72 percent. CRP is linked to arterial inflammation, atherosclerosis, and increased cardiovascular risk. Combined with low-fat-dairy consumption and reduced salt intake, that can help lower blood pressure, too.

Don't shun the good fats. The government's latest dietary guidelines allow you to get up to 35 percent of your total calories from fat. Unsaturated fats--mainly from vegetable oils, nuts, and fish--can actually help control cholesterol levels. Virgin olive oil, rich in antioxidant phenols, can help boost blood flow, a November 2005 study showed. And fish oil can reduce clotting, abnormal heart rhythms, and heart-attack risk. But get no more than 10 percent of your calories from the bad, cholesterol-raising fats, particularly trans (from partially hydrogenated oils), and also saturated (mainly from meat and dairy).

Do consider brief bursts of exercise. In one study, as little as three 10-minute, moderately paced workouts during the day reduced the blood level of artery-clogging triglycerides better than a single long session did. In theory, several short bouts may have an additive effect on the fat-burning rate, pushing it higher than a single workout would.

Don't ignore emotions. Anger and stress can alter heart rhythms and increase blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and clotting potential. Depression may cause clotting problems, too, and predispose the body to insulin resistance and diabetes. Some research suggests that antidepressant medication or psychotherapy may reduce the risk of heart attack.

Do meditate and laugh. To fight stress and reduce blood pressure, try relaxation methods such as meditation. Indeed, a seven-year study in the May 2005 American Journal of Cardiology linked regular meditation with a 30 percent drop in cardiovascular risk. In addition, laughter can help relax the blood vessels, boost blood circulation, and possibly help prevent heart attacks, research shows.