Healthy Lifestyle to Prevent Coronary Heart Disease

Despite an advanced and expensive healthcare system, Germany performs poorly in cardiovascular prevention compared to other countries, leading to increased hospitalization and mortality. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a predominantly plant-based diet, non-smoking, good sleep and mental health can simultaneously reduce several risk factors such as high blood pressure or obesity and achieve positive cardiovascular effects. The German Ministry of Health recently developed the "Gesundes-Herz-Gesetz" (GHG) to implement better preventive measures in Germany. However, further efforts are needed, such as an extension of the Non-Smoker Protection Act, as well as a better public education on lifestyle modification, focused on young and socially disadvantaged people. In addition, individual measures should be taken with the help of new technologies to promote a healthy lifestyle. Education of health care professionals that support patients to improve risk factor control is crucial.