The association between ideal cardiovascular health behavior and long-term risk profile and outcomes

Abstract Background Health behaviors are important contributors to cardiovascular health (CVH) across populations. Little data exist regarding the association between attaining health behavior goals and long-term health outcomes. Methods Ideal CVH behaviors (no tobacco smoking, normal body mass index, engagement in leisure physical activity and healthy dietary habits) based on the American Heart Association definition, were evaluated in a random Israeli population sample (N=1079) stratified by sex, ethnicity (Arabs and Jews) and age (range: 25–74 years). Negative binomial models were used for testing associations with health service utilization counts and the Cox proportional hazard models for the associations with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality. Median follow-up was 15.6 years (interquartile [IQ] rage: 12.9–16.1) for mortality and 9.7 (IQ range: 7.7–10.2) otherwise. Results None of the participants had all four ideal health behaviors at baseline, 68 (6%) had three, 308 (28%) had two, 547 (51%) had one, and 156 (14%) had none. Mean [standard deviation; SD] participant age was 49 [12], 51 [14], 52 [15] and 47 [15] for participants with 0, 1, 2 and 3 ideal health behaviors, respectively. With each additional ideal health behavior, the prevalence of male (range: 83% of subjects with no ideal behaviors to 40% of subjects with three), Arab (61% to 21%) and married (92% to 65%) participants decreased, and the prevalence of participants with higher socioeconomic determinants increased. A higher number of ideal health behavior was associated with lower baseline diastolic blood pressure (mean [SD]: 82 [9] mmHg for none, to 76 [9] mmHg for three ideal behaviors), and a more favorable baseline lipid profile. Adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, marital status, education years, professional prestige and comorbidities (Charlson index), each additional ideal health behavior was associated with reduced risk of developing diabetes (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–0.91), hypertension (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.71–1.03) and dyslipidemia (HR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74–0.98). Controlling for the same variables, the addition of one ideal health behavior was associated with fewer hospitalizations (rate ratio [RR]: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.69–0.93), and cardiology clinic visits (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.75–1.03). The hazard ratio was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.62–1.14) for MACE and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66–1.03) for all-cause mortality. Conclusion Attainment of all four cardiovascular health behaviors goals is rare across the population. A higher number of ideal health behaviors is associated with a lower risk of long-term diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia, fewer health service utilizations and a lower MACE and mortality risk.