Cardiovascular Health Score Research Articles

Abstract P246: Association Between Life’s Essential 8 Cardiovascular Health Scores During Pregnancy and Vascular Integrity in the Placenta

Background: Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) identify pregnant people at increased risk of later cardiovascular disease. Poor antenatal cardiovascular health (CVH) quantified using components of the Life’s Simple 7 ideal CVH framework has been associated with higher APO incidence, indicating modifiable aspects of CVH during pregnancy may be related to pregnancy health. Placental pathology is also common in APOs, but it is unclear if antenatal CVH is directly related to placental health. Further, clinically-used dichotomous measures of placental pathology limit investigation of associations. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between antenatal CVH and a novel, continuous marker of placental vascularization. Hypothesis: We hypothesized higher (healthier) antenatal CVH scores would be associated with higher (healthier) vascularization in the placenta. Methods: Participants enrolled in the Magee Obstetric Maternal & Infant Biobank and one of two prospective observational cohort studies examining activity patterns in pregnancy (MoM Health or Pregnancy 24/7). Antenatal CVH was quantified with a pregnancy-adapted Life’s Essential 8 framework assessed during each trimester and averaged across gestation. Components included sleep, diet, smoking, objective physical activity, pre-pregnancy BMI, blood pressure, 50g glucose challenge test results, and gestational weight gain. Component scores were averaged for a composite score (possible range, 0-100; higher indicated better CVH). Immunohistochemistry of placenta tissue was performed. Sections were stained with CD34 antibody to highlight vascular endothelial cells and counterstained with hematoxylin. Whole-slide images were digitized. Software computed the number of pixels positive for CD34 (numerator) and the total pixels (denominator); the ratio was the outcome of fetal vascular percentage (FV%), or the proportion of villous tissue occupied by fetal vessels. Linear regression associated CVH scores with FV%. Results: Placenta tissue was obtained from 64 participants (mean±SD age = 32±4.9 years). CVH score averaged across gestation was 72.6±10.7 points and decreased significantly from the first to third trimester (72.8±12.7 vs. 65.1±11.9, p<0.01). FV% was 26.3±5.13 percentage points. Associations between CVH scores and FV% approached but did not reach significance (p<0.2) in each trimester and across gestation. A 10-point increase in CVH averaged across gestation was non-significantly associated with a 0.82 percentage point increase in FV% (p=0.18). Post-hoc power analysis of this novel metric identified sufficient power to detect a 1.5 percentage point change in FV% per 10-point change in CVH score. Conclusion: Antenatal CVH was not significantly associated with placental vasculature, though a small sample size limits conclusions. Replication in a fully-powered sample is warranted.

Abstract P447: Association Between Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Throughout Early Adulthood With Prevalent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Mid-Life: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. More favorable cardiovascular health (CVH) profiles are associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD in cross-sectional studies. However, the relationship between long-term CVH patterns in early adulthood and prevalence of NAFLD in midlife remains unknown. We aimed to assess these patterns. Methods: We used data from participants (18-30 years at baseline) of the CARDIA study who had individual CVH components measured at 7 examinations over 20 years and liver fat assessed by non-contrast computed tomography (CT) at year 25 follow up. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to create CVH trajectories, according to American Heart Association definitions, from baseline through follow-up year 20. NAFLD was defined as liver attenuation of < 51 HU after exclusions. Dichotomous logistic regression was used to examine associations of baseline CVH scores (n=2618) or CVH trajectory group (n=2529) and prevalence of NAFLD at year 25. Results: At baseline, 39% of 2618 participants had high and 5% had low CVH, respectively. At year 25, NAFLD prevalence was 23% (n = 609). At year 25, compared to those without NAFLD, participants with NAFLD were more likely be male (54.2% vs. 37.3%) and be a current smoker (27.1% vs. 21.7%) at baseline. Participants with low (HR = 3.24, 95% CI = 2.13, 4.95) and moderate (HR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.50, 2.29) CVH scores at baseline were more likely to have a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD compared to participants with high CVH scores. Five distinct trajectories of CVH were identified. Lower and decreasing trajectories were associated with higher risk of prevalent NAFLD at year 25 compared to the high stable trajectory (Figure). Conclusion: Low CVH scores in young adulthood and low and decreasing CVH trajectories throughout early adulthood are associated with higher prevalence of NAFLD in midlife. Optimizing CVH in early adulthood is critical for lowering risk for prevalent NAFLD in midlife.

Abstract P361: Cardiovascular Health in South Asian American Adults in the MASALA Study: Updated Metrics Using the Life’s Essential 8 Definitions

Introduction: The AHA Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) score was recently updated to the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score which revised cardiovascular health (CVH) scoring, including accounting for Asian-specific body mass index, secondhand smoke exposure, and sleep. We evaluated CVH in South Asian American participants of the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study. Methods: At the MASALA baseline exam, median LE8 CVH score was calculated across levels of the LS7 score. Age- and sex-adjusted mean LE8 CVH score was compared by income, education, and country of birth using linear regression. Logistic regression evaluated the age- and sex-adjusted association of LE8 CVH with prevalent coronary artery calcium (CAC) score greater than 0. Sleep duration was not available, so the LE8 score was calculated with the 7 original CVH factors. Results: Among 1,093 South Asian American adults in the MASALA Study (48.5% female, mean age 56.7 [SD 9.4] years), mean LE8 CVH score was 68.7 (SD 11.6). The LE8 and LS7 CVH scores were significantly correlated (r=0.78, p<0.01). Median (interquartile range) LE8 score across levels of LS7 score is shown in the Figure. Mean adjusted LE8 score was significantly higher (p<0.01) among those with annual income ≥$75,000 vs. <$75,000 (70.0 [11.6] vs. 65.7 [10.9]) and those with more vs. less than college education (69.5 [11.3] vs. 67.7 [11.8]). Mean LE8 scores significantly varied by place of birth (Bangladesh 69.3 [14.8]; India 69.2 [11.3]; Pakistan 61.0 [11.7]; Sri Lanka 63.9 [11.7]; United States 68.2 [13.7]; p<0.01). A 10-point higher LE8 score was associated with lower odds of prevalent CAC (OR 0.67 [95% CI 0.58-0.76]). Odds of any CAC was higher for participants with low (score 0-49) or moderate (score 50-80) vs. high (score 80-100) CVH (low: OR 5.43 [2.51-11.77]; moderate: OR 3.23 [2.07-5.06]). Conclusions: The LE8 CVH score is highly correlated with the LS7 CVH score among South Asian American adults, varies across sociodemographic factors, and is associated with odds of prevalent CAC.

Abstract MP78: Race/Ethnic Disparities in Children’s Cardiovascular Health: The Role of Social Disadvantage in Early Life

Introduction: The loss of cardiovascular health (CVH) begins early in life and disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities, particularly children in single parent households, and households with lower education, family income and food insecurity. However, the contribution of these social determinants to CVH disparities in childhood are poorly understood. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that racial/ethnic differences in CVH among US children are explained by social disadvantages. Methods: Data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for children aged 2-18 (N=4,792) were used. CVH was measured using the AHA Life’s Essential 8 scores that combine nicotine exposure, diet, physical activity, sleep, body mass index, and blood pressure, lipids, and glucose. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition methods were used to quantify the contributions of parental education, marital status and household income to poverty ratio, and food security to differences in CVH by race and sex. Results: Mean CVH score was highest among non-Hispanic White (mean [SE] = 73.7 [0.5]) than non-Hispanic Black (71.3 [0.6]) and Hispanic children (71.0 [0.4]). There was no significant difference among Black-White boys (mean differences [MD] = -1.52; 95% CI: -3.25, 0.21). Black girls had significantly lower CVH than White girls (MD= -2.66; 95% CI: -4.40, -0.91). Differences in parental college education accounted for 46% of the differences in CVH scores (MD = -1.21; 95% CI: -1.89, -0.54). Among Hispanic children, both boys (MD = -2.47; 95% CI: -4.22, -0.73) and girls (MD = -3.09; 95% CI: -4.60, -1.58) had significantly lower CVH scores than White boys and girls, respectively. Differences in parental education explained 66% of the difference in CVH among White-Hispanic boys and girls (MD= -0.66; 95%CI-1.11, -0.20; and MD= -0.66; 95%CI-1.20, -0.13). Discussion: Differences in parental college education largely explained lower levels of CVH among US Black and Hispanic children, a predictor of future cardiovascular disease.

Abstract P660: Correlates of Cardiovascular Health Among Unhoused Individuals in a Southeastern City: A Pragmatic Measurement

Background: Individuals experiencing homelessness have higher rates of cardiovascular disease than housed populations. Understanding cardiovascular health among unhoused individuals could inform health promoting programming and policies; however, this population is often difficult to reach and understudied. Methods: We partnered with Homeward—a regional coordinating agency for homelessness services—to assess cardiovascular health (CVH) via their semi-annual point-in-time (PIT) count. The PIT is a census of individuals experiencing homelessness in shelters and on the streets within the regional catchment on a pre-designated night. Trained staff administered a 10-minute electronic survey, which captured demographic information and cardiovascular health domains modeled after the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8”. Considering limited time and context, we used a pragmatic approach to define four behavioral health factors (sleep, food insecurity, physical activity, and smoking) and four self-reported health conditions (overweight/obesity, prediabetes/diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol). Each component earned 1 point for positive attributes (e.g., adequate sleep) or 0 for negative attributes (e.g., having high blood pressure). Components were summed to a score with a range of 0-8. We also assessed stress to create a broader measure ranging from 0-9 (with low stress earning an additional point). We performed a multivariable linear regression to understand correlates of cardiovascular health among individuals experiencing homelessness. Results: The PIT included 336 unhoused individuals currently sleeping in shelters or outdoors. The mean score for the 8-point measurement was 4.74 (SD=1.62), and the mean score for the 9-point measurement was 5.03 (SD=1.78). Neither the 8- nor 9-point score differed by gender, education, veteran status, length of homelessness, where the individual slept the night prior to the PIT count, or eviction history. In the adjusted model, increasing age was associated with a half point decrease in CVH score (β=-0.49; p =0.006). White unhoused respondents demonstrated a lower CVH score compared to Black respondents (β =-0.579; p =0.03) adjusting for other factors. Day laborers and part-time workers demonstrated approximately 1-point higher CVH scores (β =1.01; p=0.03; β =0.88; p=0.033, respectively) than unemployed individuals. Conclusion: Age, race, and employment status demonstrated associations with ideal cardiovascular health in this population of unhoused individuals in the southeastern US. Preliminary findings suggest that employment might be a target for cardiovascular health improvement among unhoused individuals.

Abstract P656: Household Food Insecurity is Adversely Associated With Ideal Cardiovascular Health in US Adults: An Updated Analysis Using the American Heart Association’s New Life’s Essential 8 Measure

Introduction: Food insecurity, a condition of limited household food availability due to insufficient resources, is a critical social determinant of health. Food insecurity increases the risks for poor physical, behavioral, and mental health outcomes. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in the US, and adults with food insecurity may face a high burden of cardiovascular disease risk. This study aimed to examine the associations between household food security status and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH), defined using the American Heart Association (AHA)’s new Life’s Essential 8 measure. We hypothesized that greater severity of food insecurity will be associated with lower overall cardiovascular health. Methods: Data came from 14,619 adults ≥20 years from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Food security was measured using the 18-item Household Food Security Survey Module, and categorized into households with high, marginal, low, and very low food security. Per AHA criteria, ideal CVH was calculated as scores (0-100) indicating the attainment of standards for diet, physical activity, smoking, sleep, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Overall CVH was calculated as the unweighted average score across the eight metrics and overall average CVH score ≥80 was considered high CVH. We used linear and logistic regression models to examine the associations between household food security and ideal CVH outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Complex survey weights were applied to all analyses. Results: In the sample, 72.7% of adults had high food security, 10.0% had marginal food security, 10.4% had low food security, and 6.8% had very low food security. The mean overall CVH score was 68.8 (SE 0.3), ranging from 70.2 (SE 0.3) for high food security to 62.7 (SE 1.8) for very low food security. After multivariate adjustment, marginal food security (β= -1.5, 95% CI -2.9, -0.1), low food security (β= -3.0, 95% CI -4.4, -1.7), and very low food security (β= -4.7, 95% CI -6.4, -3.0) were each associated with lower overall CVH scores when compared to high food security ( P-trend<0.0001 ). These associations were driven by lower mean scores for diet, tobacco, sleep, BMI, and blood glucose with greater severity of food insecurity ( P-trends<0.05 ). Furthermore, low food security (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45, 0.74) and very low food security (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37, 0.73) were both associated with lower odds of high CVH. Results remained significant in sensitivity analyses restricting the sample to adults with family incomes ≤300% of the federal poverty level. Discussion: Household food insecurity was adversely associated with cardiovascular health metrics in a dose-response fashion. Public health interventions and policies should consider a holistic approach to health promotion among populations with food insecurity.

Abstract P306: Life’s Essential 8 is Associated With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among Community Dwelling Older Men and Women in the InCHIANTI Study of Aging (1998-2020)

Introduction: The population of individuals aged 65 y and older has increased steeply over the past few years. Health factors including obesity, high cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels, as well as adverse health behaviors such as smoking, poor diet, insufficient physical activity, and low sleep quality are risk factors for chronic disease development and mortality. Because both health factors and behaviors are critical for reducing the risk of chronic disease and mortality, we examined a score assessing overall cardiovascular health (CVH) based on American Heart Association’s (AHA) Life’s Essential 8, an update of the AHA’s former Life’s Simple 7 metric. This metric may provide a tenable framework for chronic disease management and prevention. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that in a cohort of participants aged 65 y and older, higher CVH scores based on Life’s Essential 8, indicating better CVH, at baseline, is inversely associated with risk of all-cause and CVD mortality. Methods: Overall cardiovascular health was assessed using 8 health factors and behaviors, scored 0 to 100, among 928 participants (55% female) aged 65 years and older within the InCHIANTI study of aging. Vitality status was ascertained using registry information. For analysis, CVH was modeled as a 1 Standard Deviation (SD) increase in the score. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age and sex, were used to examine the associations between CVH and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality over a median follow-up of 14.6 y. Results: A 1 SD increase in the overall CVH score was inversely associated with all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.738, 0.873]) and CVD mortality (HR = 0.73, 95% CI = [0.632, 0.832]). Conclusion: Among older adults, overall CVH - assessed through the lens of the AHA's Life's Essential 8 - is associated with a lower risk of all-cause and CVD mortality. This relationship lends credence to the importance of prioritizing health factors and behaviors in preventing chronic disease development and promoting healthier lives among older individuals.

Abstract P655: Childhood and Lifecourse Socioeconomic Position and Cardiovascular Health in Hispanic/Latino Adults of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Introduction: The Hispanic/Latino population experiences extensive socioeconomic adversity across the lifespan. Yet little is known about the role of lifecourse socioeconomic position (SEP) on cardiovascular health (CVH) in this population. Hypothesis: Childhood and adulthood SEP as well as socioeconomic mobility are associated with changes in CVH over time in Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods: We used longitudinal data (N = 14,604) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a population-based cohort study conducted in four major U.S cities. We determined childhood SEP using participant-reported parental education classified as No schooling; Elementary, middle, or high school; and more than high school (HS). Adulthood SEP was determined through an index with a score ranging from 0 to 9 combining participants’ education, occupation, annual household income, and assets, and classified as low (0), middle (1-4), and high SEP (5-9). Using childhood and adulthood SEP, we classified participants into socioeconomic mobility categories (e.g., persisting low, downward, or upward mobility, etc.). Using the four-health metrics of the American Heart Association “Life’s Essential 8” (i.e., body mass index, non-HDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose or HbA1c, and blood pressure) we built a score of ideal CVH ranging from 0 to 100. CVH was assessed at baseline and at the 6-year follow-up. Since changes in CVH over time differed by CVH at baseline, we conducted linear mixed effects models stratifying by CVH at baseline, with random intercept and slope, adjusting for age, sex, Hispanic/Latino background, study center, U.S or foreign-born, years in the U.S, as well as baseline health insurance, diet, physical activity, hours of sleep per night, smoking, alcohol consumption, and antihypertensive and cholesterol medication use. Results: 8% of parents did not have any formal education, 11% of the population had low SEP in adulthood, and 37% showed upward socioeconomic mobility. Among those with low (CVH score <50) and moderate to high (CVH score 50-100) baseline CVH, there was no association between childhood SEP and CVH at baseline. However, among those with moderate to high baseline CVH, high childhood SEP was associated with greater CVH over time (Coefficient for >HS: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.47). There was no longitudinal association among those with low baseline CVH. High adulthood SEP was associated with greater CVH at baseline for those with low (Coefficient: 2.55 95% CI: 1.25, 3.85) and moderate to high CVH (Coefficient: 1.36 95% CI: 0.09, 2.62). However, it was not associated with changes in CVH. Socioeconomic mobility was associated with greater baseline CVH as well as with improvements in CVH over time. Conclusion: Among Hispanic/Latino population with high initial CVH, high childhood SEP and socioeconomic mobility were associated with better CVH over time.

Abstract 62: Life’s Essential 8 and Mortality Risk: Associations of an Enhanced Cardiovascular Health Construct With All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Cancer Mortality in US Adults From the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Introduction: Cardiovascular health (CVH), measured using the AHA’s Life’s Simple 7, is linked to mortality. Associations of AHA’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), an enhanced approach to defining CVH, with mortality risk have not yet been evaluated in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Hypothesis: Lower CVH will be associated with higher risk for all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. Methods: We included 21,164 adults (mean age: 48y, 51% female, 11% Black, 15% Hispanic, 65% White) from the 2011-2018 NHANES whose mortality through 2019 was determined via linkage to the National Death Index. The CVH score (range: 0-100, high: 80-100, moderate: 50-79, low: 0-49) and component scores were computed consistent with the LE8 framework. The Kaplan-Maier method and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the CVH score and its component scores in relation to all-cause mortality (primary outcome) as well as CVD and cancer mortality (secondary outcomes), accounting for the complex stratified survey design of NHANES. Results: During a median follow-up of 5y, there were 1,397 deaths, including 414 and 329 deaths from CVD and cancer, respectively. Low vs. high CVH was related to 3-fold higher risk for all-cause mortality and >3-fold higher risk of CVD and cancer mortality, and a linear trend across CVH categories was detected (Figure). Lower scores for the diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, BMI, blood glucose, and blood pressure components predicted 25% to 2-fold higher mortality risk, and a gradient in risk was observed. Associations did not vary by sex, but there were differences by race and ethnicity (p-interaction<0.05); the magnitude of associations was strongest among Whites, while no relation was observed among Hispanics. Conclusions: CVH measured using the enhanced LE8 is a strong predictor of all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality in US adults, with evidence of a dose-response relationship. Improving CVH could result in substantial population-level reductions in mortality.

Abstract P638: Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults in Puerto Rico

Background: Emerging evidence supports significant variations in cardiovascular health (CVH), as defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) using “Life’s Simple 7” metrics, among Hispanics in the mainland US by sex and heritage group. Of these, Hispanic men and those of Puerto Rican background are less likely to meet favorable CVH criteria. Yet data on young men and women residing in Puerto Rico, an understudied population with a unique sociocultural context, are scarce. We assessed sex differences in CVH among young adults living in Puerto Rico. Measures: We used PR-OUTLOOK baseline data, collected between September 2020 and September 2022, for this analysis. Participants were between the ages of 18-29 years. CVH was measured using the AHA Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score, a revised composite metric of physical activity, smoking, diet, sleep, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood glucose, and non-HDL cholesterol. The total score ranges from 0-100, with higher scores indicating better CVH. For this analysis, the measure was modified to exclude diet given the lack of dietary data. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess sex differences in the overall CVH score and its components. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, marital status, and childhood material deprivation. Results: The sample included 964 adults - 619 women and 345 men. In adjusted analysis, women had a higher overall CVH score compared to men (β=2.77, 95% CI: 1.10, 4.44). Women also had higher scores for nicotine exposure (β=9.24, 95% CI: 5.18, 13.29), non-HDL cholesterol (β=4.31, 95% CI: 1.11, 7.51), and blood pressure (β=13.22, 95% CI: 10.39, 16.05) but lower for physical activity (β=-9.55, 95% CI: -15.18, -3.91). There were no significant sex differences in scores for sleep health, BMI, and blood glucose. Conclusion: There are sex differences in CVH among young adults in Puerto Rico, with women having overall better CVH. Interventions to improve nicotine exposure, non-HDL cholesterol, and blood pressure in men and participation in physical activity in women are needed to enhance and preserve overall CVH.

Abstract P353: Association of United States Nativity With Cardiovascular Health Among Race and Ethnic Groups

Introduction: Lived experiences based on self-identified race and ethnicity or place of birth are important determinants of cardiovascular health (CVH). However, the association of US nativity with CVH among different race and ethnic subgroups is not well studied. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that CVH will be higher among adults born outside the US compared with adults born in the US. Methods: We included participants aged ≥18 years from the National Health Interview Survey from 2011 through 2018. CVH was calculated based on 5 available metrics: hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, smoking, and body mass index calculated from self-reported height and weight. Scores ranged from 0 (low CVH) to 10 (high CVH). Nativity was classified as born in or outside the US. Survey-weighted linear regression models examined the association between CVH and US nativity, adjusting for age and sex and stratified by race and ethnic subgroups. Results: Of 117,894 participants (representing 120,295,032 US adults), 51% were female and the mean (SE) age was 45 (0.1) years. Overall, among all combined race and ethnic subgroups, participants born outside the US had significantly higher CVH compared with participants born in the US (beta +0.42; 95% CI: +0.38, +0.46). Hispanic adults (beta +40; 95% CI: +0.32, +0.49), Non-Hispanic Black adults (beta +0.89; 95% CI: +0.77, +1.01), Non-Hispanic Asian adults (beta +0.39; 95% CI: +0.24, +0.54), and Non-Hispanic White adults (beta +0.36; 95% CI: +0.28, +0.45) all had significantly higher CVH compared with adults who were born in the US. The age-and sex-adjusted CVH scores by U.S. nativity for overall race and ethnic groups, Hispanic American subgroups, and Asian American subgroups are shown in the Figure. Conclusion: Overall CVH is significantly higher among people born outside the US compared with those born in the US. Among race and ethnic subgroups, people born outside the US had higher CVH compared with those born within the US, except for Asian Indian adults. Figure. Age-and-sex adjusted CVH scores by US nativity.

Abstract P315: Depressive Symptoms and Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults in Puerto Rico

Background: Depressive symptoms are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence, morbidity and mortality. Less is known about the association between depressive symptoms and overall cardiovascular health (CVH) of young adults, an age group that commonly experiences depressive symptoms. We examined the association between depressive symptoms and a metric of overall CVH among young Puerto Ricans, a high risk but understudied population. Measures: We used data from PR-OUTLOOK, a study of CVH among individuals aged 18-29 residing in Puerto Rico, obtained between September 2020 and September 2022. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). CVH was assessed using the AHA Life’s Essential 8 metric, which includes modifiable behavioral (nicotine exposure, diet, physical activity, sleep health) and biological (body mass index- BMI, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose) components. For this analysis, this metric was modified to exclude diet. Higher scores (range 0-100), overall and for each component, indicate better CVH. Covariates included age, sex, marital status, and childhood material deprivation. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the relationships of CES-D-10 score with overall CVH score and its individual components. An interaction term for sex and CES-D-10 was added to the models to examine potential differences by sex. Results: The sample (n=964; mean age: 22.6 ±3.1) was largely female (64%) and single (89%), and a third (33%) reported having experienced material deprivation in childhood. Over half (58.6%) reported depressive symptoms above the cut-off for likely clinical depression (CES-D-10 >10). The overall mean CVH score was 80.2±12.8, with almost half of the sample (42.8%) having a score < 80. Mean scores for the CVH components were lowest for physical activity (57.2±43.2) and BMI (71.4±33.9). In adjusted models, significant inverse associations were observed between CES-D-10 with overall CVH (-4.21, 95%CI: -5.84,-2.58) and several CVH components: nicotine exposure (-4.28; 95%CI: -8.28,-0.28), physical activity (-9.32; 95%CI: -14.87,-3.78), BMI (-6.54; 95%CI: -10.94,-2.15), and blood pressure (-3.02; 95%CI: -5.81,-0.23). No significant interaction was observed between CES-D-10 and sex. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were inversely associated with CVH and four of the seven assessed CVH components. Longitudinal analyses should elucidate the potential contribution of depressive symptoms to reduction in CVH in young adults. Understanding factors associated with CVH among young Puerto Ricans may help elucidate CVD prevention targets for this vulnerable population.

Abstract MP39: Associations of Disordered Eating and Weight Control Behavior With Cardiovascular Health Score: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study

Introduction: Psychological and behavioral factors negatively impact cardiovascular health (CVH), defined by Life’s Simple 7. Few studies have investigated disordered eating and weight control behaviors and CVH, particularly outside of adolescence. Objective: To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of disordered eating and weight control behaviors with CVH among middle-aged adults. Methods: We studied CARDIA participants assessed between Y10 (1995-1996) and Y30 (2015-2016) excluding pregnant/breastfeeding individuals at Y10. The Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns-Revised (QEWP-R) was administered at Y10 and used to create the Problematic Relationship to Eating and Food (PREF) score, an aggregate measure (range 0-8) of eight disordered eating and weight-related behaviors (anxiety surrounding food, compensatory behaviors, overeating, loss of control, distress surrounding overeating, distress surrounding loss of control, shape concerns, time spent dieting). Diet, physical activity, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index (BMI) were measured at Y10 and Y30 (except diet at Y7 and Y20) and used to define CVH categories Low-to-Moderate (0-9) or High (10-14). Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between PREF score and CVH category. Results: We included 2,040 participants (mean age 35.2 years, 55% female, 43% Black). At Y10, every 1-unit increment in PREF was associated with 19% higher odds of Low-to-Moderate vs. High CVH in adjusted models ( Table ). At Y30 after 20 years of follow-up (mean age 55.3 years), every 1-unit increment in PREF at Y10 was associated with 11% higher odds of Low-to-Moderate vs. High CVH at Y30 in adjusted models ( Table ). Further adjustment for Y10 BMI attenuated the relationship (OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.87-0.99). Conclusion: Higher levels of problematic behaviors and attitudes towards eating are associated with less optimal CVH throughout middle-age, likely through weight increases.

Abstract P189: Sexual Minority Status Disparities in Life’s Simple 7 and Life’s Essential 8 Cardiovascular Health Scores, a French Nationwide Population-Based Study

A higher burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors has been reported in sexual minority populations (SM), such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and non-heterosexual, compared to heterosexual populations. Therefore, primordial prevention, i.e., preventing risk factor onset in the first place, may be a relevant preventative strategy in this population. This study aimed to quantify the associations of SM status in each sex with Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) and Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) cardiovascular health (CVH) scores. The CONSTANCES study is a multicentric study that recruited randomly selected adults in 24 health examination centers in 21 cities in the French European territory. Sexual minority status was based on self-reported lifetime sexual behavior and categorized as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual. The study included 169,434 CVD-free participants (53.64% women, mean age: 46.00 years). Among 90879 women, 555 were lesbian, 3149 bisexual, and 84363 heterosexual. Among 78555 men, 2421 were gay, 2748 bisexual, and 70994 heterosexual. Overall, 2812 women and 2392 men declined to answer. In women, the prevalence of high LS7 scores (12-14) ranged from 9.00% (declined to answer) to 12.38% (bisexual), whereas in men, it ranged from 4.06% (declined to answer) to 9.17% (gay). In multivariate analyses (Table 1), lesbian and bisexual women had lower LS7 score compared to heterosexual women. However, this was observed only among those who had never been pregnant (p for interaction <0.05). Conversely, gay and bisexual men living in urban areas had higher LS7 score compared to heterosexual men, while those living in rural areas had lower LS7 score than their heterosexual counterparts (p for interaction <0.05). Findings were consistent when using the LE8 score but with stronger effect sizes (Table 1). This study supports the presence of CVH disparities in sexual minority adults and may help identify vulnerable populations for prioritizing primordial CVD prevention.

Abstract 39: Association of Cardiovascular Health With Time Lived Free of Coronary Artery Calcium

Introduction: Zero coronary artery calcium (CAC) is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. More time lived without CAC may delay coronary artery disease morbidity, but prediction of when CAC will first develop is not well understood. To inform cardiovascular prevention, we evaluated how cardiovascular health (CVH) relates to time lived without CAC. Methods: In Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants with zero CAC at baseline followed up to 10 years, we used Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate restricted mean survival time since study entry lived with zero CAC, by baseline CVH per Life’s Simple 7 metrics categorized as high (score 12-14), moderate (8-11), and low (0-7), and stratified by sex and age (45-64, 65-84 years). Results: Among 3416 participants without CAC at baseline (63% female, mean age 58 [SD 9] years, mean CVH score 8.8 [2.1]), mean years lived with zero CAC was 4.9 (SD 3.5) years. Women with high CVH lived on average 6.6 (95% CI 6.4-6.8) years with zero CAC, with moderate CVH 6.2 (6.1-6.3) years with zero CAC, and with low CVH 5.6 (5.3-5.8) years with zero CAC. Men with high CVH lived on average 6.4 (5.9-6.9) years with zero CAC, with moderate CVH 6.1 (5.9-6.3) years with zero CAC, and with low CVH 5.5 (5.1-5.9) years with zero CAC (Figure A). Among participants aged 45-64 years, those with high CVH lived on average 7.4 (7.1-7.6) years with zero CAC, with moderate CVH 6.8 (6.6-6.9) years with zero CAC, and with low CVH 5.9 (5.7-6.2) years with zero CAC. Among participants aged 65-84 years, those with high CVH lived on average 5.1 (4.5-5.7) years with zero CAC, with moderate CVH 5.2 (5.0-5.4) years with zero CAC, and with low CVH 4.9 (4.6-5.2) years with zero CAC (Figure B). Conclusions: High CVH was associated with longer time lived with zero CAC in women and men. Adults aged 45-64 years with high or intermediate CVH at baseline had longer time lived with zero CAC compared with those with low CVH. Older adults had no difference in time lived with zero CAC based on CVH. Maintaining CVH in midlife may delay onset of CAC.

Abstract P360: Social and Psychosocial Determinants of Racial and Ethnic Differences in Cardiovascular Health: The MESA and MASALA Studies

Background: Social and psychosocial factors are associated with cardiovascular health (CVH) and may underlie race/ethnic differences in CVH. Quantifying the contribution of individual-level social and psychosocial factors to racial and ethnic differences in CVH may guide strategies to reduce disparities. Methods: In the MESA and MASALA cohorts, Kitagawa-Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition quantified the contributions of social and psychosocial factors to differences in mean CVH score (range 0-14, with 14 indicating optimal CVH) in Black, Chinese, Hispanic, or South Asian compared with White participants. Results: Among 7,978 adults (mean age 61 [SE 10] years, 52% female), there were 1,892 Black (mean CVH score 7.96), 804 Chinese (CVH 9.69), 1,496 Hispanic (CVH 8.00), 1,164 South Asian (CVH 9.16), and 2,622 White (CVH 8.91) participants. The factors that statistically contributed the most to explained differences in mean CVH score were income for Black participants (if mean income in Black participants were equivalent to White participants, Black participants’ mean CVH score would be 0.14 points higher, p<0.05); place of birth for Chinese participants (if proportion of US-born and foreign-born individuals among Chinese adults were equivalent to White participants, Chinese participants’ mean CVH score would be 0.22 points lower, p<0.05); and education for Hispanic and South Asian participants (if educational attainment were equivalent to White participants, Hispanic and South Asian participants’ mean CVH score would be 0.55 points higher and 0.37 points lower, respectively, p<0.05 for both). Conclusions: In this multiethnic US cohort, social and psychosocial factors statistically explained racial and ethnic differences in CVH. Socioeconomic and immigration-related factors contributed the largest magnitude to CVH differences between race and ethnic groups.

Abstract P252: Financial Strain and Cardiovascular Health Among Young Black Women: Findings From a Community Survey

Background: Black women experience disproportionate rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including earlier onset, increased number of risk factors, and higher morbidity rates. Higher levels of stress may help to explain this disparity. We sought to examine the relationship between financial strain—a common stressor—and cardiovascular health in a sample of young, Black women. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data collected through an academic-community collaboration with the AME Zion Church. In 2019, an electronic survey was administered to self-identified Black women aged 18 to 40 years. The survey assessed psychosocial stressors, psychological distress, healthcare utilization, and health status. We examined the association of financial strain—defined as difficulty in paying for necessities—and cardiovascular health (CVH) modeled after the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8”. The eight domains were defined by four behavioral health factors (sleep, diet, physical activity, and smoking) and four self-reported health conditions (overweight/obesity, prediabetes/diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol). Each component earned 1 point for positive attributes (e.g., adequate sleep) or 0 for negative attributes (e.g., having high blood pressure). Components were summed to a total score (range: 0-8). We used multivariable regression to examine the relationship between financial strain and CVH score adjusting for other sociodemographic factors. Results: This study included 160 Black women with a mean age of 32.36 (SD = 5.68). Nearly half the sample (46%) held graduate or professional degrees, and 28% of respondents earned an income ≥$100,000. The mean score on the 8-point CVH measurement was 5.45 (SD=1.44). Adjusting for age, education, and income, experiencing some financial strain was associated with poorer CVH than little to no financial strain (β = -0.72, p=.006). Age was marginally associated with decreasing CVH (β=-.040, p=0.05). Evaluating individual CVH components, those with some degree of financial strain had higher odds of being sedentary (OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.04, 5.04) and getting insufficient sleep (OR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.17, 6.05) than those with little to no strain. There were no significant associations between financial strain and diet or the health status measures (i.e., overweight/obesity, prediabetes/diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol). Smoking could not be evaluated separately due to low numbers of smokers within the sample. Conclusion: Adjusting for age, education, and income, financial strain was negatively associated with overall CVH, and physical activity and sleep, specifically, within this sample of young, Black women. Interventions targeting financial strain may positively affect preventative CVH behaviors within this population.

Abstract MP75: History of Infertility is Associated With Midlife Cardiovascular Health in Females

Introduction: Infertility, the inability to conceive for ≥12mo (≥6mo if age ≥35y), has been associated with increased risk for adverse cardiometabolic outcomes, but risk related to specific domains of cardiovascular health remain unclear. Utilizing the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) construct of cardiovascular health, we hypothesized that history of infertility would be associated with lower LE8 score (0-100) comprising four behavioral (diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking status) and four biological (BMI, blood pressure, blood lipids, glycemia) domains. Methods: Project Viva enrolled pregnant participants 1999-2002. We included participants who completed a midlife visit at approximately 18y postpartum (mean age 50.6y). Using multivariable linear regression, we examined relationships between any history of infertility (y/n) and mean LE8 overall, behavioral, biological, and individual component scores adjusted for race/ethnicity, education, household income, and age at midlife visit. Results: At midlife, 468 participants had complete data. The majority (67%, n=313) identified as non-Hispanic White and had a mean (± SD) LE8 overall score of 76.3 ± 12.2, behavioral score 76.5 ± 13.4, and biological score 76.0 ± 17.5. Overall, 35% (n=160) reported experiencing infertility in their lifetime. In adjusted models, estimated LE8 overall score was 3.3 points lower (β=-3.31, 95%CI -5.63, -0.98) compared to those with no history of infertility; a stronger association was detected for the biological (β=-4.64, 95%CI -8.13, -1.16) than the behavioral domain (β=-1.97, 95%CI -4.52 ,0.58). Of individual LE8 components, infertility was most strongly associated with a lower score for blood lipids (β=-8.77, 95%CI -15.1, -2.43) and glycemia (β=-4.84, 95%CI -8.71, -0.97) (Figure). Conclusion: A history of infertility was associated with lower overall and biological cardiovascular health scores and may indicate the need for enhanced cardio-preventive strategies during the reproductive years.

Differences in Ideal Cardiovascular Health Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults

Research on the cardiovascular health (CVH) of sexual minority adults has primarily examined differences in the prevalence of individual CVH metrics rather than comprehensive measures, which has limited development of behavioral interventions. To investigate sexual identity differences in CVH, measured using the American Heart Association's revised measure of ideal CVH, among adults in the US. This cross-sectional study analyzed population-based data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2007-2016) in June 2022. Participants included noninstitutional adults aged 18 to 59 years. We excluded individuals who were pregnant at the time of their interview and those with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heart failure. Self-identified sexual identity categorized as heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, or something else. The main outcome was ideal CVH (assessed using questionnaire, dietary, and physical examination data). Participants received a score from 0 to 100 for each CVH metric, with higher scores indicating a more favorable CVH profile. An unweighted average was calculated to determine cumulative CVH (range, 0-100), which was recoded as low, moderate, or high. Sex-stratified regression models were performed to examine sexual identity differences in CVH metrics, disease awareness, and medication use. The sample included 12 180 participants (mean [SD] age, 39.6 [11.7] years; 6147 male individuals [50.5%]). Lesbian (B = -17.21; 95% CI, -31.98 to -2.44) and bisexual (B = -13.76; 95% CI, -20.54 to -6.99) female individuals had less favorable nicotine scores than heterosexual female individuals. Bisexual female individuals had less favorable body mass index scores (B = -7.47; 95% CI, -12.89 to -1.97) and lower cumulative ideal CVH scores (B = -2.59; 95% CI, -4.84 to -0.33) than heterosexual female individuals. Compared with heterosexual male individuals, gay male individuals had less favorable nicotine scores (B = -11.43; 95% CI, -21.87 to -0.99) but more favorable diet (B = 9.65; 95% CI, 2.38-16.92), body mass index (B = 9.75; 95% CI, 1.25-18.25), and glycemic status scores (B = 5.28; 95% CI, 0.59-9.97). Bisexual male individuals were twice as likely as heterosexual male individuals to report a diagnosis of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.10-3.56) and use of antihypertensive medication (aOR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.12-4.32). No differences in CVH were found between participants who reported their sexual identity as something else and heterosexual participants. Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that bisexual female individuals had worse cumulative CVH scores than heterosexual female individuals, whereas gay male individuals generally had better CVH than heterosexual male individuals. There is a need for tailored interventions to improve the CVH of sexual minority adults, particularly bisexual female individuals. Future longitudinal research is needed to examine factors that might contribute to CVH disparities among bisexual female individuals.

Retinal Venule Coverage by Pericytes Decreases in Multiparous Mice in a Time-Dependent Manner Post-Delivery.

Structural changes in the retinal vasculature have been linked to increased cardiovascular risks and also change as a function of age. Because multiparity has been associated with poorer cardiovascular health scores, we hypothesized that changes in retinal vascular caliber would be observed in multiparous, compared to nulliparous, females and retired breeder males. Age-matched nulliparous (n = 6) and multiparous (n = 11, retired breeder females with 4 ± 1 litters), and male breeder (n = 7) SMA-GFP reporter mice were included for assessment of retinal vascular structure. Multiparous females had higher body mass, heart weight, and kidney weight compared to nulliparous mice, with lower kidney and higher brain weight compared to male breeders. There was no difference in number of retinal arterioles or venules, or arteriole or venule diameter among groups; however, venous pericyte density (number per venule area) decreased in multiparous vs. nulliparous mice and was negatively associated with the time since last litter and with age. Our results suggest that the time elapsed since delivery is an important factor to be considered in multiparity studies. Taken together, changes in vascular structure and potentially function, are time- and age-dependent. Ongoing and future work will determine whether structural changes are associated with functional consequences at the blood-retinal barrier.