An internationally renowned Kashmir-born US-based cardiologist has some tough advice for those who want to avoid heart disease.

Dr Fayaz Shawl is currently director of interventional cardiology at Washington's Adventist Hospital. Known for having devised an interventional heart procedure named after him, Dr Shawl is presently visiting Kashmir.

"I have never given chocolates, cakes, toffee, candies or soft drinks to my 3-year-old daughter," he said.

"The best food for children is lots of fruits including strawberries, berries and peach. If you develop the right food habits among your children right from the beginning, they will carry them for life."

He rated smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol (the bad one called LDL) triglycerides and diabetes as the major reasons for coronary heart disease.

Those leading a sedentary lifestyle faced the highest risk of contracting heart ailments, he said.

"Any physical activity like golf, gardening, working in the house etc is fruitful. Inactivity is an independent risk factor for heart problems."

Dr Shawl had very tough words for his fellow Kashmiris whom he blamed for "playing with their hearts."

"All we need is 20 grams of fat per day and one spoonful of edible oil gives us 14 grams. Imagine how much ghee and edible oil goes into the preparation of our traditional food?" he asked.