Cardiovascular health among older U.S. adults with high blood pressure, heart failure, or stroke declined significantly between 2013 and 2018, according to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study analyzed data from 3,050 adults aged 65 and older, weighted to represent nearly 38 million Americans, using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 metrics to assess heart health.
The findings show those with cardiovascular conditions had average scores below 60 out of 100, substantially lower than the 68-point average for those without cardiovascular disease. Most alarmingly, scores decreased by 4.1% for people with high blood pressure, 11.5% for stroke survivors, and 15.2% for those with heart failure during the five-year period. Study co-author James M. Walker noted that the 9-point health gap between those with and without cardiovascular disease appeared largely driven by poor performance in blood pressure control and physical activity metrics.
This research establishes a critical pre-pandemic baseline for understanding cardiovascular health trends in older populations. With the Baby Boomer generation rapidly aging and medical advances enabling longer post-event survival, these declining health metrics signal an urgent need for improved preventive care and lifestyle support. The American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 framework, which assesses diet, physical activity, smoking status, sleep, body mass index, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, provides a comprehensive tool for measuring and addressing these health challenges.
The study's limitations include its cross-sectional design, which prevents establishing causation, and its focus on only six cardiovascular conditions. However, the findings underscore the importance of early intervention and continuous health monitoring for aging populations facing cardiovascular challenges.
