Physical activity and healthy eating habits may lead to better quality of life among those who are at risk for cardiovascular problems, according to findings published in the journal Archives of International Medicine.

During a three-year study, a team of researchers had a total of 71 patients with a family history of heart complications participate in dieting counseling groups and increased their daily physical activity. The intervention group was then compared to 74 individuals who had similar cardiovascular problems, but were given dietary and exercise information.

The team discovered that those who were in the intervention group were less likely to have medical problems or need to see their doctors, while the control group were more likely to have to visit their primary care physician on a regular basis.

The authors stated that “these results should be viewed in the context of the previously reported favorable impact on physical activity, fitness, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure and smoking cessation over the three-year period.” They concluded that “high-intensity and long-lasting interventions can produce sustainable improvements in quality of life.”

In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, eating a high-calorie breakfast can boost one’s metabolism, resulting in a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity.