Personal Health Habits of American Cardiologists

This study surveyed all cardiologists in a large coalition of cardiology groups. A 1-page, 25-item anonymous questionnaire containing 3 sections (demographics, medical history, and current medications and supplements) was used. Data from returned questionnaires were analyzed and compared with those in national databases. Eight hundred surveys were sent, and complete data were available for analysis on 471 (59%). The average age of the participants was 48.6 years; 7.1% were women. The average body mass index (BMI) was 25 kg/m², and 8% were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²); 1.3% were active smokers; 89% exercised ≥1 time/week; and 72% had ≥1 alcoholic drink/week. Red wine was the most frequently consumed alcoholic beverage. Associated cardiovascular risks included dyslipidemia (28%), hypertension (14%), and diabetes mellitus (0.6%). Four percent had experienced coronary events. Compared with matched cohorts from the United States (US) population, cardiologists reported lower rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, and the rates of smoking and obesity were 1/18 and 1/3 those of the US population, respectively. Aspirin and statins were each taken daily by about 1/3 of the participants. A cardiologist with dyslipidemia was 5 times as likely to be treated and a cardiologist with hypertension was almost twice as likely to be treated as an American adult man with either of these disorders, respectively. In conclusion, cardiologists appear to follow healthier lifestyles than the general adult US population.