Most heart attacks could be avoided with a health kick - study

Researchers found a clear reduction in heart attack risk for each healthy lifestyle factor investigated. Photo / 123RF

Four out of five heart attacks in men could be prevented by adopting a super-healthy lifestyle that avoids junk food, smoking, excessive drinking and lack of exercise, a study has found.

Scientists assessed the lifestyles of 20,721 Swedish men aged 45 to 79 and monitored their health for 11 years.

The best behaved from a health point of view were 86 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack than those who threw caution to the wind and led a high-risk life.

Men at the lowest risk were non-smokers, walked or cycled for at least 40 minutes a day, exercised an hour or more per week, consumed moderate amounts of alcohol and regularly ate fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, reduced-fat dairy products, whole grains and fish.

They also had a waist circumference measuring less than 95cm (37.4in).

Lead researcher Dr Agneta Akesson, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, said: "It is not surprising that healthy lifestyle choices would lead to a reduction in heart attacks. What is surprising is how drastically the risk dropped due to these factors.

"It is important to note that these lifestyle behaviours are modifiable, and changing from high-risk to low-risk behaviours can have great impact on cardiovascular health. However, the best thing one can do is to adopt healthy lifestyle choices early in life."

The findings are published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Researchers found a clear reduction in heart attack risk for each healthy lifestyle factor investigated.

On their own, a healthy diet combined with moderate alcohol consumption led to an estimated 35 per cent reduced heart attack risk.

- PAA