An analysis of health data for nearly 4 million young people in South Korea found that those with ideal cardiovascular health were more likely to experience heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease later in life than those with poor heart health scores. It was found that the risk of developing the disease was approximately 65% ​​lower. Preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Science Session 2024, March 18-21 in Chicago. This conference will provide the latest science on population-based health and wellness and lifestyle influences.

In its 2023 Scientific Statement and Presidential Recommendations, the American Heart Association emphasized the link between heart disease and chronic kidney disease and the importance of improving cardiovascular health to prevent them.

Cardiovascular disease is deadly, and kidney disease is very common even among young adults. These two diseases often coexist or increase the likelihood of each other, so they must be prevented together. However, because young adults have a lower short-term risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease, the importance of behaviors and factors associated with ideal heart health has often been overlooked. ”

Hokyou Lee, MD, senior study author, associate professor of preventive medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

In this study, researchers examined data from South Korea’s 2009-2010 National Health Checkup Program to determine how early-life cardiovascular health affects the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease later in life. We investigated whether it would have such an impact. Participants’ heart health was measured by three modifiable lifestyle behaviors and three health measures (being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking) based on the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 indicators. , blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels). (Note: In 2022, sleep health was added to the seven indicators in the Society for Optimal Cardiovascular Health’s new Life’s Essential 8 scale.)

The analysis revealed the following:

• Young people with perfect heart health scores at enrollment had a 65% lower risk of developing cardiovascular or kidney disease during 12 years of follow-up compared to those with zero ideal cardiovascular health indicators. Ta. Note: In this study, participants were not provided with any dietary measures, so their complete heart health score was 6 out of 6.
• As the heart health score increased, the risk of developing cardiovascular or kidney disease decreased over time.
• Those whose scores improved from low to high during follow-up also had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular and kidney disease than those with consistently low heart health scores.

“Less than 1% of young people had ideal heart health scores at the start of the study, but unfortunately, about half of the young people with perfect or near-perfect cardiovascular health ended up Within a few years, their heart health scores declined: Among young people whose scores declined despite perfect or near-perfect cardiovascular health, those who experienced cardiovascular disease or kidney disease compared with young people who had pre-existing poor heart health and continued to have it,” Lee said. “Our research highlights the importance of achieving ideal cardiovascular health in young adulthood and maintaining or improving it throughout life. To live longer, we need to improve our heart health. More efforts are needed to raise awareness among young people about implementing and maintaining good lifestyle habits early in life.” Living a Healthier Life.” ”

Research background information:

• The study involved 3,836,283 Korean adults with no history of cardiovascular or kidney disease.
• Participants self-identified as female (38.2%) and male (62.8%).
• Participants ranged in age from 20 to 39 years, with a median age of 31 years at the start of the study.

Limitations of this study included not using the new Life’s Essential 8 health indicators to define cardiovascular health. Additionally, information about participants’ diets was not available and the study only included people living in South Korea, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other populations.

“The findings of this study highlight the importance of early recognition of risk factors, intervention, and adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors in young adulthood to prevent cardiovascular and kidney disease later in life.” Additionally, this study shows that even people who started out with low heart health scores improved their heart health scores over time.” Over time, the risk of disease decreased compared to those with lower scores, highlighting the potential for positive health outcomes through lifestyle modifications,” said Monica, associate professor and researcher.・Dr. C. Serra said. Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Gerontology, and Palliative Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, and the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Research. Serra is co-chair of the program committee for EPI│Lifestyle Science Session 2024.

“Using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 indicators, which include biometrics such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, as well as modifiable behaviors such as physical activity, weight management, and smoking cessation, we provide a comprehensive picture of heart health. “It is noteworthy that this study did not include a dietary component and recognized the addition of sleep health to the association’s new 8 Life Essentials,” she said. said. “Overall, this study contributes valuable evidence about the importance of maintaining cardiovascular health in young adults for long-term disease prevention.”