ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the mediating effect of lifestyles on the association between family history and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods This study was based on the "Early Screening and Comprehensive Intervention of High-risk Populations of Cardiovascular Disease Project". The data were collected from 6 project sites in Hubei Province. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the impact of family history and lifestyle on CVD, and the relationship between family history and lifestyle. Mediation analysis was used to evaluate the mediating effect of lifestyle on the association between family history and CVD. Results A total of 5 871 subjects were included in the study from 2015 to 2016, of whom 500 (8.52%) developed CVD and 484 had family history of CVD. The risk of developing CVD was significantly increased in participants with family history of disease (OR = 1.458, P = 0.014) and in those with high level of physical activity (OR = 1.081, P = 0.026). The increase of leisure physical activity time showed a protective effect on developing CVD (OR = 0.977, P < 0.001). Participants with family history significantly increased leisure physical activity (OR = 2.085, P < 0.001), and were less likely to choose occupations with high levels of physical activity (OR = 0.524, P < 0.001). The results of mediation analysis showed that leisure physical activity and occupational physical activity mediated the relationship between family history and CVD, and the β value of the mediating effects were -0.004 (P = 0.010) and 0.002 (P = 0.045), respectively. The β value of the direct effect of family history on CVD was 0.033 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Leisure physical activity and occupational physical activity might mediate the relationship between family history and CVD. People with family history would reduce the risk of developing CVD by increasing leisure physical activity time and choosing occupations with low levels of physical activity.