Nearly 1 million Americans die from cardiovascular disease each year, but a recent study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association has revealed that adopting certain lifestyle habits can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart attack and stroke. The study, which involved over 5,600 participants, found that individuals who followed a healthy diet, maintained a sleep duration of seven to nine hours per night, refrained from smoking, engaged in regular exercise, and managed their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight effectively, reduced their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 36 percent.
In addition, individuals with a family history of CVD were able to reduce their risk of developing the condition and dying from heart attack and stroke by 39 percent. Moreover, their overall risk of mortality was decreased by nearly 80 percent. Lead researcher Jiantao Ma, a professor in the division of nutrition epidemiology at the AHA, emphasized that adhering to these eight lifestyle factors could significantly lower the risk of heart-related issues regardless of age or health history.
Professor Ma stated, ‘Our study findings indicate that regardless of chronological age, adopting heart-healthy behaviors and effectively managing heart disease risk factors were associated with a biologically younger age and a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and mortality from heart-related causes or any other cause.’
The study delved into how heart-healthy lifestyle choices impact the biological aging process of the body and its cells, which play a crucial role in determining overall health. Various factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, and environmental influences contribute to how the body ages, leaving distinct ‘markers’ on a person’s DNA. These markers can be utilized by scientists as indicators to assess an individual’s predisposition to certain health conditions like cancer or heart disease.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, involved the analysis of DNA samples from 5,680 participants in the Framingham Heart Study. The results underscore the importance of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle to mitigate the risk of cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the significant impact of simple yet effective habits on overall health and longevity.
