Four out of five men could avoid a heart attack if they give up cigarettes, cut back on alcohol, eat a healthy diet and exercise, a new study has warned.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle may could dramatically reduce the risk of early death — and giving up each individual bad habit lowers the risk.
The younger the men change, the more protection against heart attacks they accrue, Swedish researchers found.
Men with the optimum lifestyle were non-smokers who walked or cycled for at least 40 minutes per day, exercised at least one hour per week and had a waist circumference below 37 inches.
They also drank moderate amounts of alcohol, and ate a diet packed with fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, reduced-fat dairy products, whole grains and fish.
The study followed 20,721 healthy Swedish men aged 45 to 79 over 11 years.
Their belly fat was measured and they were questioned about their lifestyle, Daily Mail informs.
WHAT MEN SHOULD BE AIMING FOR
Men with the optimum lifestyle:
- Didn’t smoke
- Walked or cycled for at least 40 minutes per day
- Exercised at least one hour per week
- Had a waist circumference below 37 inches
- Drank moderate amounts of alcohol
- Ate a diet packed with fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, reduced-fat dairy products, whole grains and fish
