Small lifestyle changes may reduce cardiovascular risk

A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that minor daily lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.

Analyzing data from over 53,000 UK Biobank participants with an average age of 63, researchers found that adding 11 minutes of sleep, 5 minutes of physical activity, and approximately 1/4 cup of vegetables to a daily routine could lower cardiovascular risk by 10%. Furthermore, individuals maintaining an optimal combination of habits—including 8–9 hours of sleep per night, 42 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, and a healthy diet—showed a 57% lower risk of serious cardiovascular events compared to those with the least optimal lifestyles.

Lead author Nicholas Koemel, a researcher and nutritionist at the University of Sydney, noted that combining small changes across several aspects of life can yield positive impacts that may exceed expectations. However, researchers cautioned that as this was an observational study, a causal relationship between these habits and cardiovascular risk has not yet been established, and further intervention trials are required.