Lifestyle for a lifetime

Current guidelines for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) emphasise the importance of a healthy lifestyle. There is now sufficient evidence that a multitude of lifestyle factors play an important role in the occurrence of CVD. Most of these factors relate to lifestyle and are thus modifiable, such as tobacco smoking, lack of physical activity, dietary habits, elevated blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidaemias. Consequently there has to be continuous attention to lifestyle modification, both in primary and secondary prevention [1]. With respect to secondary prevention, cardiac rehabilitation has become increasingly important as has been underscored by the study by Achttien et al. [2] in this issue of the Netherlands Heart Journal. Before dwelling on their study, I would first like to stress the importance of lifestyle, its components and its behavioural aspects. Interestingly, the value of the individual lifestyle factors may change over time and new lifestyle factors appear on the horizon. In short communication the most recent observations (second half year 2015) and changes in the area of lifestyle will be addressed as well as some new lifestyle issues.