Doctors say people can take steps to avoid cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes. These are the leading causes of death around the world. A study from doctors at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and Yonsei University in South Korea said that more than 99 per cent of people who had a heart attack or stroke had at least one warning sign. The doctors said there were several major signs: high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, high blood sugar, and smoking and drinking. All of these things can be reduced if people change their lifestyles. The most effective changes are to eat a healthier diet, exercise, and quit smoking and drinking.

In the study, doctors analyzed 10 years of health records of nine million people in South Korea and 7,000 people in the USA. Nearly all of the patients could have avoided heart attacks and strokes. Lead researcher Dr Philip Greenland said: "We have known for many years that there is a small number of modifiable risk factors for heart disease, and at least one, but often more than one, is present in the background leading up to heart attacks, heart failure, or strokes." He added: "Efforts need to be made to treat that factor to prevent heart attack, stroke, or heart failure." Dr Greenland said: "The goal now is to work harder on finding ways to control these modifiable risk factors."