Healthy lifestyle reduces sudden cardiac death in women

January 01, 0001

Healthy lifestyle reduces sudden cardiac death in women

These US researchers the effect of healthy lifestyle on the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) women. The performed a prospective cohort study of women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study (n=81 722). They examined lifestyle factors using questionnaires, defining a low-risk lifestyle as being a non-smoker, having a body mass index of 25 or less, exercising at least 30 minutes per day, and a diet in the top 40% of the alternate Mediterranean diet score.

The researchers found: "All 4 low-risk lifestyle factors were significantly and independently associated with a lower risk of SCD. The absolute risks of SCD were 22 cases/100,000 person-years among women with 0 low-risk factors, 17 cases/100,000 person-years with 1 low-risk factor, 18 cases/100 000 person-years with 2 low-risk factors, 13 cases/100,000 person- years with 3 low-risk factors, and 16 cases/100,000 person-years with 4 low-risk factors. Compared with women with 0 low-risk factors, the multivariable relative risk of SCD was 0.54 for women with 1 low-risk factor, 0.41 for 2 low-risk factors, 0.33 for 3 low-risk factors, and 0.08 for 4 low- risk factors. The proportion of SCD attributable to smoking, inactivity, overweight, and poor diet was 81%. Among women without clinically diagnosed coronary heart disease, the percentage of population attributable risk was 79%."

The researchers concluded: "Adherence to a low-risk lifestyle is associated with a low risk of SCD."

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in women


For the full abstract, click here.

JAMA 306(1):62-69, 6 July 2011 © 2011 American Medical Association
Adherence to a Low-Risk, Healthy Lifestyle and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death Among Women. Stephanie E. Chiuve, Teresa T. Fung, Kathryn M. Rexrode, et al.

Category: K. Circulatory. Keywords: sudden cardiac death, lifestyle, smoking, exercise, diet, prospective cohort study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 19 July 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

COVID-19 Resources

WONCA webinars, journal links and more

WONCA position statements

WONCA statements on a variety of issues

PEARLS

577 Individual behavioural counselling helps people to quit smoking 575 Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements may be beneficial in age-related macular degeneration 574 Oral antifungals effective for toenail onychomycosis 570 Decision aids beneficial for people facing health treatment or screening decisions 569 Computer-generated reminders on paper benefit quality of care