03 Sep 2019 --- Premature heart disease risk is linked to lifestyle, such as diet, and not genetic predisposition, according to research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2019. Lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol were highlighted by the researchers. The findings show that healthy behaviors should be a top priority for reducing heart disease even in those with a family history of early-onset CVD.