Objective:

To evaluate the impact of adherence to a healthy lifestyle on the risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in patients diagnosed with hypertension.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Patients with the highest healthy lifestyle scores had a 51% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 79% lower risk of type 2 diabetes compared to those with the lowest scores.
• 27% of cardiovascular disease cases and 75% of type 2 diabetes cases could theoretically be prevented if all patients achieved the highest lifestyle score.
• Each one-point increase in healthy lifestyle score following diagnosis was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk.

Interpretation:

The study underscores the importance of lifestyle modifications in managing hypertension, suggesting that these changes can provide significant health benefits independent of medication.

Limitations:

• Reliance on self-reported lifestyle measures.
• Potential residual confounding.
• Limited generalizability due to the predominantly White population of health professionals.

Conclusion:

Hypertension diagnosis should be viewed as an opportunity to enhance lifestyle interventions alongside pharmacologic therapy, emphasizing the importance of sustained lifestyle changes.

Sources:

• JAMA Network Open
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