Non-Drug Management of Cardiovascular Risk

At all levels of cardiovascular risk, lifestyle modification should be the primary intervention used to reduce cardiovascular risk. Smoking cessation is particularly important.

Lifestyle Factor	Recommendation	Further Links
Diet	Saturated fat: aim for <30g/d if male, <20g if female Adopting a Mediterranean diet pattern supplemented with 30g extra virgin olive oil or unsalted nuts per day Ensure adequate consumption of fruit & vegetables	NHS Live Well NHS Scotland Eat Well Guide
Exercise	Aim for 150min moderate-intensity exercise (or 75min high-intensity exercise) weekly Twice weekly: physical activity to improve muscle strength.	NHS Live Well NHS Scotland: Keeping Active
Weight loss	In overweight/obese patients aim for a sustained weight loss of at least 3kg. This also reduces the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis etc. which are themselves cardiovascular risk factors.	NHS Live Well BMI Calculator NHS Inform 12-week Weight Management Programme Lothian Weight Management Service
Smoking	Complete sustained cessation	NHS Live Well NHS Scotland: Stopping Smoking Quit Your Way advice service
Alcohol	Aim for <14 units weekly, spread over 3 or more days.	NHS Live Well
Salt intake	Salt intake should be reduced as much as possible Aim for <6g/d	Action on Salt: Salt & Your Health

For more detailed clinical recommendations, see SIGN guideline 149.

This article was published on 2025-05-21