If women are from Venus and men are from Mars, both planets should take a good look at their eating habits, cholesterol levels and general environment. A new study from the University of Gothenburg shows that when it comes to cardiovascular disease, the risk factors between both sexes are largely the same.

The study drew from a global pool of participants across 21 countries in five continents, accounting for both high-income, medium-income and low-income countries. Of the more than 155,000 individuals, not one had a history of cardiovascular disease when the study began. Each instance of fatal heart disease, like heart attack, stroke and heart failure, was noted during the 10-year study.

Participants ranged from 35 years to 70 years in age. Researchers looked at three kinds of risk factors: metabolic, behavioral and psychosocial.

Such risk factors include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking tobacco, economic status and depression.

At the end of the study, researchers found metabolic risks, like diabetes, were similar in both men and women. Depressive symptoms were more significant in men, while the link between poor diet and heart disease was more pronounced in women. Men smoked more, but when women lit up, the data indicated it was just as likely to pose a risk to their heart.

The researchers noted that smaller risk discrepancies between the sexes were far outweighed by the similarities.

Whether from Mars, Venus or Earth, all of us should be cognizant of general risks that can lead us down a path to developing heart disease, and manage our lifestyle, diet and mental health as best we can.