A comprehensive review of research spanning a decade has underscored the extensive benefits of maintaining heart-healthy habits, as defined by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7™ metrics. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that ideal cardiovascular health is not only pivotal for heart health but also correlates with enhanced function across various bodily systems, from reducing the risk of limb amputation and dementia to preserving vision and hearing.
The Life’s Simple 7 metrics, introduced in 2010 and later refined to include sleep as Life’s Essential 8™, encompass not smoking, healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. The review, which analyzed nearly 500 studies, demonstrated that individuals with high scores in these metrics enjoyed a lower likelihood of chronic diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes, alongside better brain and lung function as they aged.
Lead study author Liliana Aguayo, Ph.D., M.P.H., emphasized the surprising breadth of benefits, noting that optimal levels of Life’s Simple 7 metrics positively impact health from head to toe. The findings also suggest that even individuals with a higher genetic predisposition to heart disease can mitigate their risk by achieving ideal levels in at least three of the metrics.
Despite the low global prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health—up to 4% of individuals worldwide—the study highlights the critical role of lifestyle choices in preventing not just cardiovascular disease but a wide array of health issues. The American Heart Association’s Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, reinforced the importance of these metrics as a foundation for overall health and well-being, aligning with the organization’s mission to promote longer, healthier lives.
The study’s limitations include the broad categorization of health metrics under Life’s Simple 7 and potential underrepresentation of negative findings. Researchers advocate for further studies, particularly among underrepresented populations and on the mechanisms linking these health metrics to broader health benefits.
This research, funded in part by the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health, marks a significant step in understanding the holistic benefits of cardiovascular health, offering a compelling case for the adoption of heart-healthy habits as a cornerstone of preventive healthcare.
