Lifestyle Factors and Heart Failure Risk
Summary
Heart failure constitutes a global public health challenge, propelled by ageing populations, sedentary lifestyles, suboptimal diet quality, tobacco use, excess alcohol consumption and obesity. Epidemiological and mechanistic research links each of these factors to pathological alterations in cardiac structure and function, including myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and impaired relaxation. Regular physical activity, even at moderate intensity, preserves ventricular compliance and attenuates inflammatory mediators, whereas prolonged sedentary behaviour exacerbates metabolic dysregulation and endothelial dysfunction. Dietary patterns rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables and whole grains support favourable myocardial energetics and limit oxidative stress, while smoking cessation and weight management reduce neurohormonal activation and haemodynamic load. Composite behavioural scores, advanced imaging and circulating biomarkers have enhanced risk stratification, guiding personalised preventive strategies. The global burden of heart failure underscores the urgency of translating these insights into public health policies and clinical guidelines to curb progression from subclinical dysfunction to overt disease.
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Lifestyle Factors and Heart Failure Risk publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in lifestyle factors and heart failure risk across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Metabolomics: The comprehensive study of small molecules (metabolites) within biological specimens, used to identify biomarkers and pathways linked to disease.
Healthy lifestyle score (HLS): A composite index quantifying adherence to beneficial behaviours such as balanced diet, regular physical activity, non-smoking, moderate alcohol intake and healthy weight.
Diastolic dysfunction: Impairment of the heart’s relaxation phase, leading to inadequate ventricular filling and elevated filling pressures before overt heart failure develops.
Risk stratification: The process of categorising individuals by their likelihood of adverse health outcomes, guiding preventive or therapeutic interventions.
References
- The Association of Metabolomic Profiles of a Healthy Lifestyle with Heart Failure Risk in a Prospective Study. Nutrients (2023).
- Healthy lifestyle in older adults and life expectancy with and without heart failure. European Journal of Epidemiology (2022).
- The effect of physical activity level on the severity of diastolic dysfunction. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (2023).
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