Key findings

Coronary heart disease (CHD)

About 1 in 4 men already showed signs of CHD at the start of the study (1978–1980). Deaths from CHD in the UK have fallen by around half since then.

Cholesterol

High cholesterol greatly increases CHD risk.  Average cholesterol levels were very high in the 1970s but have fallen over time, likely due to healthier diets.

Smoking

Heavy smokers have 3 times the risk of heart disease.  Quitting reduces risk within 5–10 years.  Passive smoking also increases risk, though it is now less common.

Weight and diabetes

Being overweight increases heart disease risk and is strongly linked to diabetes. The heaviest men had about 10 times the risk of diabetes compared to the lightest.

Physical activity

Regular exercise protects against heart disease, even if light or moderate.  Starting physical activity later in life still brings benefits.

Infections

Long-term infections do not appear to cause heart disease. While inflammation may be linked to risk, the connection isn’t fully clear.

Trends over time

Heart disease has decreased due to less smoking, healthier diets, and better treatments. Diabetes is rising, mainly due to more overweight and less active people.

How to stay healthy

Don’t smoke, stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight.