Does lifestyle modification reduce the risk of developing heart failure?
Yes, a healthful lifestyle appears to reduce the risk of developing HF. The Physicians Health Study (1982 2008) demonstrated that participants with the healthiest life-styles had the lowest lifetime risk of developing HF. Six healthy lifestyle factors were assessed: BMI <25 kg/m2, not smoking, regular exercise 5 times/wk, moderate drinking (5-14 times/wk), consumption of breakfast cereal, and consumption of fruits and vegetables (4 servings/d). During 22.4 years of follow-up in 20,900 men, 1,200 (5.7%) developed HF. A higher number of healthy lifestyle characteristics was associated with a lower risk of developing HF. The lifetime risk for HF in those without any of the above healthy lifestyle factors was 21.2% compared with only 10.1% in those with 4 lifestyle factors.