How can I know if my lifestyle is reducing my life expectancy or will result in some serious ailment such as cancer or diabetes? Numerous studies of populations have shown that certain behaviors are threats to optimum health. Some of these are more important than others. Many are interrelated, so that a change in one may break a chain-like reaction.

For example, the risk of high-blood cholesterol, a factor in fatal heart disease, is linked to a cluster of health habits: excess saturated (animal) fat and cholesterol in the diet, lack of exercise, excess dietary calories, sedentary habits that contribute to obesity.

What difference does it make if I don’t change my bad habits? Quite a lot, especially if you’re willing to accept the facts.

To best understand the risk involved, let’s consider the risk of heart attack and stroke in two individuals. We will examine only six aspects of their life, all of which are related to habit patterns.

We’ll call the first individual Healthman and the second, Highrisk.

Healthman does not smoke cigarettes, is of an ideal weight, eats little salt in food, and has a low blood pressure (systolic of no more than 110), does not use foods high in saturated fats or cholesterol (virtually no animal flesh or products), is physically active (exercises vigorously four or more times a week), and is rarely tense or anxious.

Highrisk, on the other hand, smokes 35 or more cigarettes each day, likes salty and convenience foods, has a systolic blood pressure of 150 or higher, eats a lot of meat, cheese, eggs, and whole milk, rarely exercises, and is usually tense and takes tranquilizers to keep calm.

What difference does this make? In practical terms it means that Healthman will have the very lower risk of heart attack or stroke, averaging less than one-tenth the rate in the average Western 35-65 age group.

On the other hand, Highrisk has about four to five times the same average probability of having a premature heart attack or stroke.

In other words, Highrisk is 40 to 50 times as likely to suffer severe cardiovascular problems as Healthman.

The choice is obvious. It’s our decision and we individually know what changes we need to make.