Almutairi Mohammed, Almutairi Ashwaq A, Alodhialah Abdulaziz M
Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
School of Nursing & Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
Life (Basel). 2025 Jan 13;15(1):87. doi: 10.3390/life15010087.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults. Lifestyle modifications, including diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation, are key to reducing cardiovascular risk. This study examines the combined effects of these behaviors on cardiovascular outcomes and their mediating mechanisms. A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data on dietary quality, physical activity, and smoking status were collected using validated questionnaires. Cardiovascular outcomes, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and body mass index (BMI), were measured. A composite cardiovascular risk score was computed. Path analysis was employed to assess direct and indirect effects of lifestyle factors on cardiovascular outcomes. Participants adhering to a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking had significantly lower composite cardiovascular risk scores. Non-smoking status showed the strongest direct effect (β = -0.20, = 0.006), while dietary quality and physical activity exhibited significant indirect effects mediated by LDL, SBP, and BMI. Combined adherence to multiple healthy behaviors resulted in the greatest reductions in cardiovascular risk. The path analysis highlighted dietary quality and physical activity as critical mediators of cardiovascular health improvements. Lifestyle modifications significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in older adults, with cumulative benefits observed for combined adherence to healthy behaviors. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive lifestyle interventions targeting diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation to promote cardiovascular health in aging populations.
心血管疾病（CVD）是老年人发病和死亡的主要原因。包括饮食、体育活动和戒烟在内的生活方式改变是降低心血管风险的关键。本研究探讨了这些行为对心血管结局的综合影响及其中介机制。在沙特阿拉伯利雅得对老年人（年龄≥60岁）进行了一项横断面研究。使用经过验证的问卷收集了饮食质量、体育活动和吸烟状况的数据。测量了心血管结局，包括低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL）、收缩压（SBP）和体重指数（BMI）。计算了综合心血管风险评分。采用路径分析评估生活方式因素对心血管结局的直接和间接影响。坚持健康饮食、定期进行体育活动并避免吸烟的参与者的综合心血管风险评分显著较低。不吸烟状态显示出最强的直接效应（β = -0.20，P = 0.006），而饮食质量和体育活动通过LDL、SBP和BMI表现出显著的间接效应。综合坚持多种健康行为可最大程度降低心血管风险。路径分析突出了饮食质量和体育活动是心血管健康改善的关键中介因素。生活方式改变可显著降低老年人的心血管风险，综合坚持健康行为可带来累积益处。这些发现强调了针对饮食、体育活动和戒烟的综合生活方式干预对促进老年人群心血管健康的重要性。
