Diet, Lifestyle, Biomarkers, Genetic Factors, and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in the Nurses' Health Studies

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) Vol. 106; no. 9; pp. 1616 - 1623
• Main Authors: Yu, Edward, Rimm, Eric, Qi, Lu, Rexrode, Kathryn, Albert, Christine M, Sun, Qi, Willett, Walter C, Hu, Frank B, Manson, JoAnn E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Public Health Association 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aging; AJPH Special Section: NHS Contributions; Alcohol use; Beverages; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - analysis; Body mass index; Carbohydrates; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - genetics; Cohort analysis; Diet; Dietary guidelines; Endocrine therapy; Epidemiologic Studies; Epidemiology; Exercise; Exercise/Physical Activity; Fatty acids; Female; Food; Fruits; Genetic factors; Genetics; Glycemic index; Health care; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Heart attacks; Humans; Hypertension; Life Style; Lifestyles; Longitudinal Studies; Middle Aged; Mortality; Nurses; Nutrition/Food; Oils & fats; Other Chronic Disease; Prospective Studies; Public health; Risk Factors; Stroke; Studies; Trans fats; United States - epidemiology; Women's Health; Womens health; United States > US
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303316

To review the contributions of the Nurses' Health Studies (NHSs) to the understanding of cardiovascular disease etiology in women. We performed a narrative review of the publications of the NHS and NHS II between 1976 and 2016. Diets low in trans fat, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates, and sugar-sweetened beverages and rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and sources of unsaturated fats are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Healthy lifestyle choices include smoking avoidance, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body mass index, and moderate alcohol consumption. Adherence to a combination of these healthy diet and lifestyle behaviors may prevent most vascular events. Studies also covered oral contraceptive use, postmenopausal hormone therapy, shift work, sleep duration, psychosocial factors, and various biomarkers and genetic factors. Findings, such as the association of trans fat with cardiovascular disease, have helped shaped medical guidelines and government policies. The NHS has provided compelling evidence that the majority of vascular events may be prevented by avoiding smoking, participating in regular physical activity, maintaining normal body mass index, and eating a healthy diet.