For men: Avoid heart attacks with just these simple tips

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found four out of five men could avoid a heart attack if they give up cigarettes, cut back on alcohol, and eat a healthy diet and exercise. It also concluded that adopting a healthy lifestyle could dramatically reduce the risk of early death - and giving up each individual bad habit lowers the risk. The earlier the men change, the more protection against heart attacks they accrue, the Swedish researchers found. 

Men with the optimum lifestyle were non-smokers who walked or cycled for at least 40 minutes per day, exercised at least one hour per week and had a waist circumference below 37 inches. They also drank moderate amounts of alcohol, and ate a diet packed with fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, reduced-fat dairy products, whole grains and fish.

Men who exercised at least one hour a week reduce heart attacks

The study also found even in those who take medication, a healthy lifestyle as highlighted has an additional reduction in risk for chronic heart disease.

Professor Akesson leader of the research team said: 'It is important to note that these lifestyle behaviours are modifiable, and changing from high-risk to low-risk behaviours can have great impact on cardiovascular health. 'However, the best thing one can do is to adopt healthy lifestyle choices early in life.'

The study followed 20,721 healthy Swedish men aged 45 to 79 over 11 years.