Scientists from the Medical University of South Carolina found having a healthy lifestyle in middle age may help people live longer.
A healthy lifestyle includes 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily, regular exercise, BMI of 18.5-29.9 kg/m2, and no current smoking.
The research is published in The American Journal of Medicine and was conducted by Dana E King et al.
In the study, the team aimed to determine the frequency of adopting a healthy lifestyle in middle-aged people, and determine the subsequent rates of heart disease and death among those who adopt a healthy lifestyle.
They examined a diverse sample of adults aged 45-64 in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities survey. Outcomes are all-cause mortality and fatal or non-fatal heart disease.
The team found in 15,708 participants, 1344 (8.5%) had 4 healthy lifestyle habits at the first visit, and 970 (8.4%) of the remainder had newly adopted a healthy lifestyle 6 years later.
Men, individuals with lower socioeconomic status, or a history of hypertension or diabetes were less likely to newly adopt a healthy lifestyle.
During the following 4 years, total death and heart disease events were lower for new adopters compared to individuals who did not adopt a healthy lifestyle.
After adjustment, new adopters had lower all-cause mortality and fewer cardiovascular disease events in the next 4 years.
The findings suggest that people who newly adopt a healthy lifestyle in middle-age experience a prompt benefit of lower rates of heart disease and death.
The team says strategies to encourage adopting healthy lifestyles should be implemented, especially among people with hypertension, diabetes, or low socioeconomic status.
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