Four top lifestyle changes to reduce risk of death by 80 percent

HUNTINGDON, U.K. - July 28, 2013 - PRLog -- Source: American Journal of Epidemiology, June 3, 2013 (United Press International)

US researchers say that the top four lifestyle changes that prevent heart disease are: the Mediterranean diet, exercise, normal weight and not smoking.

Dr. Haitham Ahmed and colleagues at the Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease at Johns Hopkins, found that by adopting these four lifestyle behaviours protect against coronary heart disease, as well as the early buildup of calcium deposits in heart arteries. They found the changes reduce the chance of death from all causes by 80 percent over an eight-year period.

Data was evaluated from more than 6,200 men and women, ages 44-84, from white, African-American, Hispanic and Chinese backgrounds. The study followed this group for an average of 7.6 years. Those who adopted all four healthy behaviours had an 80 percent lower death rate over that time period compared to participants which adopted none of the healthy behaviours.

Activ8rlives says: These findings of links between healthy or low-risk lifestyle factors, such as smoking cessation, losing weight, being habitually active, adopting a healthier Mediterranean diet, are early signposts for all of us to improve our heart health and longevity of life. The protective aspects of changing to a healthier lifestyle can make a different to our health outcomes – this is within our grasp and gift.