Article Abstract:
Women could substantially reduce their risk of coronary heart disease by changing their diet and lifestyle. Among the 84,129 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study, 3% were considered to have a low risk of coronary heart disease based on diet and lifestyle. Specifically, they did not smoke, were not overweight, were physically active, and ate a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat. These women had a risk of coronary heart disease that was 80% lower than all the other women. Eighty-two percent of the heart attacks occurred in women who did not follow these dietary and lifestyle habits.
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Article Abstract:
Women may more effectively reduce their risk of heart disease by changing the fats they eat rather than simply eating less fat. In a 14-year study of 80,082 healthy nurses, fewer heart attacks and cardiac-related deaths occurred in those who ate more poly- and monounsaturated fats, and more cardiac events were associated with the consumption of saturated and hydrogenated (trans) fats. Substituting vegetable oils for animal-based and trans fats, rather than reducing overall fat intake, was the best strategy found in this group. Vegetable oils may help prevent heart disease.
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Article Abstract:
Brisk walking for three or more hours per week can lower the risk of heart attack in women as much as vigorous exercise. This was one of the conclusions of the Nurses' Health Study, which has followed 121,700 nurses since 1976. Women who walked briskly for three or more hours per week were 30% to 40% less likely to have a heart attack compared to women who were sedentary. Sedentary women who became active in middle age also lowered their risk compared to those who remained sedentary.
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