Health Goals Cut Deaths, Few Meet Them

Only 1.2% of U.S. adults meet all 7 major health goals to help prevent heart disease. But those who meet at least 6 goals are only half as likely to die young as those who meet 1 goal or none, a new study finds. The study included nearly 45,000 U.S. adults. Information came from a major national health survey that included physical exams. Researchers also used a database of deaths. The first survey was in 1988-1994. At that time, 2% met all goals for heart health. They didn’t smoke, ate a healthy diet and exercised regularly. They were not overweight. They also had ideal levels of blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol. The last group was surveyed in 2005-2010. Then only 1.2% met all goals. The average follow-up time was 14.5 years. During that time, people who met at least 6 goals had a 51% lower risk of death from all causes than people who met no more than 1 goal.