Following seven simple lifestyle steps can reduce a person's risk of developing a range of serious conditions, including heart disease, cancer and kidney disease, a new study has revealed.

US researchers set out to assess the impact of following the American Heart Association's ‘Simple 7' - these are seven simple steps which were originally drawn up to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The seven steps are:
-Do not smoke
-Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI)
-Be physically active
-Consume a healthy diet
-Maintain healthy cholesterol levels
-Maintain healthy blood pressure
-Maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

The researchers followed the progress of almost 7,000 adults over a 10-year period. These were grouped into three categories depending on how well they stuck to the ‘Simple 7' - poor, intermediate and ideal.

The study found that, as expected, people in the ideal category had much lower rates of cardiovascular disease than those in the poor category. However they also found that the rates of other diseases were reduced among those in the ideal category.

In fact, when compared to the those in the poor category, those in the ideal category had a 20% reduced risk of developing cancer, a 43% reduced risk of developing pneumonia, a 49% reduced risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a 62% reduced risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

The researchers concluded that following the ‘Simple 7' does not only benefit the heart, but can reduce a person's risk of developing a range of chronic diseases.

Details of these findings were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2015 in Florida.