Does lifestyle really make a difference for preventing heart disease? That’s the question Swedish scientists asked when they started a study in 1997.
They recruited more than 20,000 healthy Swedish men between 45 and 79 years old and followed them until 2009. Those who adhered to five healthy habits lowered their risk of a heart attack dramatically, by over 80 percent. They:
- exercised regularly,
- ate plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains,
- drank moderately,
- didn’t smoke and
- kept their waistlines at or under 37 inches.
Even following two or three of the healthy behaviors lowered men’s risk of a heart attack compared to the men who didn’t practice any of them. If you ever get frustrated about conflicting health information, keep in mind that these simple guidelines have not changed in decades.
[Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Sept 22, 2014]
These healthy behaviors may not sound trendy or sexy, but they mean a longer and more enjoyable life.
