Major Study Uncovers Link Between Lifestyle Choices and Heart Disease Disparity

A
groundbreaking study
has shed light on why individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more susceptible to heart disease. Published findings suggest that smoking, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity are key contributing factors to the increased mortality rates among the economically disadvantaged.
Coronary artery disease
, the most common form of heart disease, poses a significant threat to public health, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifying it as the leading cause of death in the U.S. The accumulation of plaque in blood vessels, leading to restricted blood flow, is a hallmark characteristic of this condition. Research has revealed that individuals with lower incomes and less privilege face a higher risk of succumbing to heart disease.
Socioeconomic inequalities
play a pivotal role in shaping the mortality burden of this disease in the general U.S. population. Smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and body mass index collectively account for more than half of the socioeconomic disparities in ischemic heart disease mortality among both genders. Notably, the impact of these risk factors varies between men and women. For men, smoking and physical inactivity emerge as significant contributors to the heightened risk of heart disease death, while alcohol intake and obesity play a more moderate role. Conversely, women are predominantly affected by physical inactivity, with smoking and alcohol consumption also influencing their risk levels. The clustering of unhealthy behaviors among individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds underscores the importance of targeted public health interventions to address these issues comprehensively. A
team of researchers
conducted an extensive analysis of data from over 500,000 U.S. adults, spanning more than two decades, to arrive at these compelling conclusions. Educational attainment was identified as a key indicator of socioeconomic status, revealing a clear association between higher levels of education and a reduced risk of heart disease mortality. This study represents a groundbreaking effort to unravel the intricate relationship between behavioral risk factors and socioeconomic disparities in ischemic heart disease mortality in the U.S. If you have insights on a food-related topic or a nutritional concern, feel free to reach out to us at science@newsweek.com. Your input could shape future coverage and feature expert advice in Newsweek.