LIFESTYLE FACTORS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Chronic diseases in our aging Australian population are a major public health concern. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia and it starts developing early in life.

The important thing to realise about CVD is that it is preventable.

A recent study was reported in the American Heart Journal (2010:160(1):102-108.  The objective was to determine the effects of 5 modifiable health factors in combination on the risk of death from CVD in adult men.

The investigation involved 38,110 men (aged 20–84 years and of middle and upper socioeconomic demographic). The investigators followed these subjects over an extended period of time (8-24 years) until they either passed away or until the review period of the study finished on December 31^st 2003.

A health profile score was developed based on cardiovascular fitness (measured as being either low, medium or high), self-reported physical activity levels (active vs. inactive), smoking status (not currently smoking vs. currently smoking), alcohol consumption (1–14 drinks per week vs. 0 or >14 drinks per week), and body mass index (BMI; normal range = 18.5–24.9 vs. ?25.0 kg/m²).

During the review period there were 949 deaths that were traced back to cardiovascular related causes.

A high level of cardiovascular fitness, being physically active and having a BMI within the normal range and not smoking individually reduced the risk of death. When considered in combination a minimum of two positive health factors reduced the risk substantially more.

Protection from cardiovascular related death increased with each additional health factor that was added to the mix and achieving a “health risk profile score” of 5 corresponded to a 67% reduction in the  risk of death from a cardiovascular related cause. In fact, the researchers concluded that 42% of all cardiovascular deaths (in the sample group) could potentially be eliminated if all the men had been physically fit, refrained from smoking, were light alcohol consumers, were physically active, and had a normal weight.

In short, having at least 2 of the 5 beneficial health factors reduced the risk of CVD death by 33% in adult men compared with those having no beneficial health factors. Furthermore, the risk of CVD death was reduced incrementally per increase in health profile score; and attaining all 5 beneficial health factors decreased the risk of CVD death by 67%.

The most important point to come out of this investigation was that all of the factors which lower the incidence of CVD are within the control of each and every one of us.

What changes are you going to make to improve your lifestyle and lower the chance of CVD?