JAMA Netw Open

Healthy habits associated with lower cardiometabolic risk after hypertension diagnosis

March 18, 2026

A 24-year prospective cohort study of over 25,000 U.S. adults with hypertension found that adherence to five healthy lifestyle factors—high-quality diet, not smoking, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, and healthy BMI—was associated with 51% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 79% lower risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) compared with the least healthy lifestyles. These associations were observed independent of antihypertensive medication use. Participants who improved lifestyle adherence after diagnosis had 12% lower CVD risk and 44% lower diabetes risk, while those whose adherence declined had 14% higher CVD risk and 75% higher T2DM risk.

Clinical takeaway: Reinforce multiple lifestyle behaviors after hypertension diagnosis, alongside medications, to help reduce long-term cardiometabolic risk.

Source:

Qiu Z, et al. (2026, March 2). JAMA Netw Open. Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle and Risk of Cardiometabolic Diseases in Individuals With Hypertension. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41842897/