Lifestyle trumps drugs for a healthy heart: study

By Amanda Beck

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Even men who take medication for
high blood pressure or cholesterol can dramatically cut their
risk of heart disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle, U.S.
researchers reported on Monday.

Middle-aged men on these medications can reduce their
chances of heart problems by 57 percent by eating right, not
smoking, drinking in moderation and maintaining a healthy
weight while exercising regularly, the researchers said.

Those who do not take the drugs can cut their risk of heart
ailments by 87 percent if they adopt these lifestyle choices.

“This shows there’s no substitute for a healthy lifestyle,”
said Stephanie Chiuve, lead author of the study to be published
in Circulation: Journal of The American Heart Association.

The study tracked 43,000 men between 40 and 75 who were
free of diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions
when the study began in 1986. They completed biannual
questionnaires and researchers used the data to tease out
correlations between heart disease and lifestyle habits.

The benefits of the healthy habits were apparent even if
they were adopted over time.

“In other words, it’s never to late to change,” said
Chiuve. “You can still achieve benefits if you make changes in
middle age or later in life.”

Men with the lowest risk of heart disease were those who
practiced all five healthy habits, but not smoking alone
reduced the risk of heart problems by 50 percent, she said.