A new cohort study analyzing data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study found that maintaining and improving cardiovascular health from age 18 to 45 years is strongly associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in midlife. Greater cumulative time at higher cardiovascular health during young adulthood correlates with lower subsequent risk of CVD. Positive slope of change in cardiovascular health during young adulthood is independently associated with lower hazards for incident CVD after age 45 years, introducing novel metrics for CVH risk. Race-based risk disparities were attenuated after adjusting for cumulative cardiovascular health, highlighting the value of sustained cardiovascular health from early adulthood and supporting earlier implementation of preventive CVH interventions.

Source: JAMA Cardiology