Heart Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Risk of MI 86%

Researchers from Sweden recently reported that five lifestyle factors were each independently associated with a lower risk of MI in men.

• Frequent physical activity (walking or cycling at least 40 minutes per day
• Mediterranean style diet (fruits, veggies, reduced-fat dairy, whole grains, and fish)
• Moderate alcohol consumption
• Not smoking 
• Waist less than 37.4 inches

When all five of these behaviors were adhered too, the risk of MI was reduced by 86% compared with individuals who did not adhere to any of these behaviors. 

In addition

• Diet and alcohol cut the risk by 35%
• Diet, alcohol, and not smoking cut the risk by 64%
• Diet, alcohol, not smoking and exercise cut the risk by 76%

So what does this show - that by adhering to the 5 above behaviors, we can dramatically reduce our risk of suffering an MI