Older Adults with Cardiovascular Conditions Show Significant Decline in Heart Health

Cardiovascular health among older U.S. adults with certain cardiovascular diseases has been suboptimal and declining, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study, based on 2013-2018 national health survey data for 3,050 adults ages 65 and older, found significant declines in cardiovascular health scores among those with high blood pressure, stroke, or heart failure.

The analysis used the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 health metrics, which measure eight components for ideal heart and brain health: diet, physical activity, smoking status, sleep, body mass index, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Each metric was scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with cardiovascular health calculated as the average of these scores. Scores below 50 indicate low cardiovascular health, 50 to 79 moderate, and 80 and above high health.

From 2013 to 2018, cardiovascular health scores decreased by approximately 4.1% among people with high blood pressure (from 59.6 to 57.1), 11.5% among those with a history of stroke (from 60.6 to 53.6), and 15.2% among people with heart failure (from 60.9 to 51.6). In contrast, people with no cardiovascular disease had an average score of 68 out of 100. The gap between those with and without cardiovascular disease appears largely explained by differences in blood pressure and physical activity scores.

Study co-author James M. Walker emphasized that physical activity and blood pressure scores were particularly low for individuals with cardiovascular disease. On average, participants with one cardiovascular disease had a Life’s Essential 8 score 9 points lower than those without, a disparity primarily attributed to these two factors. The findings underscore the need for earlier health interventions to support the aging population, especially as the last of the Baby Boomers reach 65 in the next five years and more people live longer after cardiovascular events.

The research, which analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, is intended to establish a pre-pandemic baseline for assessing future changes in cardiovascular health trends. However, the study has limitations, including its cross-sectional design, which prevents establishing cause and effect, and its focus on only six types of cardiovascular disease. Despite these constraints, the results highlight urgent public health implications for managing heart health in older adults, particularly through improved blood pressure control and increased physical activity.