Study: Healthy Lifestyle, Healthier Heart (Video)

A heart-healthy lifestyle includes exercise, good nutrition and other attributes, according to a health metrics plan outlined by the American Heart Association.

But what affect does a heart-healthy lifestyle have on total health of people in the U.S. and abroad? That question was one of several addressed in a recent study published in the May 2016 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, a medical journal.

The findings: There is a clear link between ideal cardiovascular health metrics and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and other conditions, such as cancer and depression, says Khurram Nasir, M.D., and medical director of the Center for Healthcare Advancement and Outcomes at Baptist Health South Florida.

“Considering the strong association of cardiovascular health metrics with both cardiovascular disease and non-cardiovascular disease outcomes, a coordinated global effort for improving cardiovascular health should be considered a priority,” the study says.

Dr. Nasir — one of the key co-authors of the study — spoke to the Baptist Health News Team. Watch now.