Impact of Lifestyle on the Incidence of Heart Disease

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Several lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking, have been widely studied for their impact on the incidence of heart disease. This systematic review seeks to analyse the relationship between lifestyle habits and the risk of developing CVD, consolidating scientific evidence on the influence of healthy behaviours in preventing these conditions. Methodology: A systematic review of prospective studies published up to February 2023 was carried out, using databases such as PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Studies that investigated the association between multiple lifestyle habits and the incidence of CVD were included. Statistical analysis involved estimates of relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), using fixed and random effects models. In addition, subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. Results: The results indicated that individuals who adopt a set of healthy habits have a significant reduction of 58% in the risk of CVD and 55% in mortality from CVD. Among those already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, adherence to a healthy lifestyle reduced the risk of disease recurrence by 62% and mortality from all causes by 67%. The dose-response analysis revealed that each increase in a healthy habit was associated with a 17% decrease in the risk of CVD and 19% in cardiovascular mortality. Discussion: The findings reinforce the importance of adopting multiple healthy habits in the prevention and management of CVD. Public health strategies should focus on promoting behavioural changes, encouraging the practice of physical activity, a balanced diet and smoking cessation. In addition, prevention policies should consider integrated approaches that combine multiple lifestyle factors to maximise health benefits. Conclusion: The systematic review confirms that the adoption of healthy habits is strongly associated with the reduction of CVD risk and improvement of prognosis in individuals already diagnosed. Rather than focusing on just one behaviour, it is recommended to promote multiple healthy habits as an effective strategy in preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases