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.
醫師指出，人們可透過積極行動預防心肌梗塞、中風等心血管疾病，這兩大病症目前位居全球主要死因之首。美國芝加哥西北大學芬伯格醫學院與韓國延世大學的研究顯示，超過99%曾罹患心臟病或中風的患者，在發病前至少出現過一項警示徵兆。醫師列舉關鍵危險因子包括：高血壓、膽固醇超標、肥胖、血糖過高，以及吸菸飲酒習慣。研究強調，透過調整生活型態即可有效改善這些風險，其中最關鍵的措施包含：採取健康飲食、規律運動，並戒除菸酒。
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."這項研究分析韓國900萬人與美國7000人長達十年的健康紀錄，發現近所有患者原本都有機會避開心腦血管事故。主導研究的菲利普・格林蘭博士說明：「多年來我們已知少數可調控的風險因子會導致心臟疾病，患者在心臟病、心力衰竭或中風發作前，體內通常潛藏至少一項或多項危險因子。」他強調：「必須積極治療這些危險因子以預防嚴重病症」，並指出當前重點在於「更努力尋找控制這些可調控風險因子的有效方法」。
•Cardiovascular (adj.) - Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
•Diseases (n.) - Illnesses or medical conditions.
•Leading (adj.) - Most common or primary.
•Warning (adj.) - Indicating potential danger.
•Cholesterol (n.) - A fatty substance in the blood.
•Obesity (n.) - The condition of being severely overweight.
•Effective (adj.) - Successful in producing a desired result.
•Analyzed (v.) - Examined data or information in detail.
•Avoided (v.) - Prevented something from happening.
•Modifiable (adj.) - Capable of being changed or altered.
•Factors (n.) - Elements or causes that contribute to a result.
