I was diagnosed with GERD in 1999 and was put on a daily prilosec.  Most of the time that is sufficient to control my heartburn symptoms, if I do not over eat, finish dinner by 6PM, and wait at least 2 hours before lieing down.  However, I turn to Malox for heartburn after a breakfast of bacon, eggs & coffee, when I ingest my daily vitamins with an 81mm aspirin. I do enjoy 1 or 2 vodkas most evenings and enjoy foods with garlic and onions. I will soon be 67, have annual physicals and am in generally good health but take daily meds to control cholesterol and hypertension.  I'm 6' 220' and walk for 30 min, (a 16 minute mile pace), 3-to-4 times a week.  Both parents, a grandparent on each side and several uncles and aunts have lived into their 90's.