Abstract TH936: Cardiovascular Health as Defined by Life’s Essential 8 is Associated with Vascular Function in Middle-Aged Females

Abstract

Introduction: The American Heart Association defines cardiovascular health as a composite measure of four health behaviors (diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health) and four health factors (body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, blood pressure), collectively known as Life’s Essential 8. Despite substantial evidence linking cardiovascular health to vascular function, gaps exist in understanding this relationship when evaluated using Life’s Essential 8 metrics. This study examined the association between cardiovascular health and endothelial function assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and arterial stiffness assessed using carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Hypothesis: Higher cardiovascular health scores were hypothesized to be associated with higher FMD and lower cfPWV. Methods: Baseline data from 35 females (41.6±7.2 years, 60% White, 97.1% non-Hispanic) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial were included in this analysis. The Life’s Essential 8 metrics were measured and quantified to a range of 0-100, with higher scores indicative of a better health behavior or health factor. FMD was obtained via ultrasonography and cfPWV was measured using applanation tonometry by a trained exercise physiologist. Allometric scaling was applied to the percent change FMD to account for differences in baseline vessel diameter to obtain corrected-FMD. Unadjusted linear regression models examined the relationship between overall cardiovascular health score, as measured by Life’s Essential 8 and corrected-FMD and cfPWV. Unadjusted linear regression models also examined the relationship between each Life’s Essential 8 metric and corrected-FMD and cfPWV. Results: The mean Life’s Essential 8 score was 67.6±9.2, with the majority (88.6%) classified as having intermediate cardiovascular health status. The mean corrected-FMD was 7.1±2.6% and cfPWV was 6.5±1.3 m/s. A significant association was observed between Life’s Essential 8 score and corrected-FMD (b = 0.10 (0.05), p = 0.031), but not cfPWV. Of the eight Life’s Essential 8 metrics, only blood pressure was significantly associated with both corrected-FMD (b = 0.04 (0.02), p = 0.016) and cfPWV (b = 0.02 (0.01), p = 0.014). Conclusion: Life’s Essential 8 may be a practical tool for monitoring cardiovascular health in practice-based settings but requires further investigation.