A recent scientific study prepared by Sonata Čerkauskaitė provides new insights into how lifestyle factors influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence and healthy life expectancy across Europe. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death both in Europe and globally. However, many of its risk factors are closely linked to lifestyle choices. The study focuses on understanding how diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and body weight are associated with both objective health indicators and individuals’ subjective assessments of their health. Using Eurostat data, the research analyzed health indicators from 2012 to 2024 to assess how lifestyle factors affect the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and the Healthy Life Years (HLY) indicator in European countries.

Healthy life years increasing, but health issues remain

The findings show that in most European countries the number of healthy life years has gradually increased. In Lithuania, the indicator rose from 59.2 to 60.3 years, while the overall European average remained relatively stable at around 62 years.

Despite this positive trend, the prevalence of long-term health problems has gradually increased. Women reported such health issues significantly more often than men. In addition, statistics show that Lithuania continues to have one of the highest cardiovascular mortality rates in Europe.

Lifestyle factors strongly linked to CVD risk

The study also revealed a strong association between lifestyle habits and cardiovascular disease risk. Lower consumption of fruits and vegetables, harmful habits such as smoking, and obesity were linked to a higher prevalence of elevated blood pressure, increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases, especially ischemic heart disease, and a shorter duration of healthy life years.

The research further found that individuals who are overweight tend to be less physically active than those with normal body weight. More than half of overweight respondents reported that they do not exercise at all.

Importance of prevention

The results highlight the importance of prevention and show that modifying key risk factors – such as increasing physical activity, improving dietary habits, and reducing smoking – can significantly contribute to lowering cardiovascular disease risk and extending healthy life expectancy.

The study provides a detailed overview of how lifestyle and self-perceived health affect cardiovascular disease patterns across Europe. Based on reliable statistical data and advanced analytical methods, it contributes valuable insights for public health research and may help policymakers develop more effective cardiovascular disease prevention strategies.