Decade-Long Research Highlights Broad Health Benefits of Heart-Healthy Habits

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. Ideal cardiovascular health, characterized by factors such as not smoking, regular physical activity, and healthy nutrition, was found to be associated with lower risks of conditions ranging from dementia to cancer, beyond its well-documented cardiovascular benefits.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, reviewed nearly 500 research studies, concluding that individuals with high Life’s Simple 7 scores enjoyed better overall health, including preserved brain and lung function, vision, hearing, and muscle strength as they aged. Notably, the research also suggested that even those with a genetic predisposition to heart disease could mitigate their risk by achieving ideal levels in at least three of the metrics.

Lead author Liliana Aguayo, Ph.D., M.P.H., emphasized the surprising breadth of health benefits associated with the Life’s Simple 7 metrics, which have since been updated to Life’s Essential 8™ to include sufficient sleep. Despite the low global prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health, the findings reinforce the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in preventing not only cardiovascular disease but also a wide array of other health issues.

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 improved outcomes. The American Heart Association highlights these findings as a testament to the power of preventive measures in achieving a longer, healthier life.