CardiOvascular risk factors: Role of lifestyle

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in the developed world. Lifestyle factors are thought to account for up to 90 % of attributable risk of myocardial infarction worldwide. Smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, abdominal obesity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, psychosocial factors, and physical activity are the key components of this risk. Interventions to reduce risk such as exercise, smoking cessation, and dietary change are valuable in lowering CVD risk at any age, however, instituting the "right" lifestyle choices from childhood or even from conception is likely to have the greatest impact on reducing the long-term burden of disease. The "sitting time" is now recognized to add to the risk of CVD, even in people who are physically active at other times. Sitting more than 10 h per day increases all-cause mortality. TV watching is a strong predictor of CVD risk and is more profound than "screen time" which may include video games. This may relate to increased snacking and poor dietary choices when watching TV. If we are to reduce CVD, a paradigm shift is needed in how our "Western" society operates. Fundamental changes are needed in infrastructure, travel, use of cars, work patterns, food industry, and education from birth to grave.