Lower Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Research Articles

Associations of Testosterone and Related Hormones With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Men : Individual Participant Data Meta-analyses.

Whether circulating sex hormones modulate mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in aging men is controversial. To clarify associations of sex hormones with these outcomes. Systematic literature review to July 2019, with bridge searches to March 2024. Prospective cohort studies of community-dwelling men with sex steroids measured using mass spectrometry and at least 5 years of follow-up. Independent variables were testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol concentrations. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, CVD death, and incident CVD events. Covariates included age, body mass index, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, hypertension, diabetes, creatinine concentration, ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipid medication use. Nine studies provided individual participant data (IPD) (255 830 participant-years). Eleven studies provided summary estimates (n = 24 109). Two-stage random-effects IPD meta-analyses found that men with baseline testosterone concentrations below 7.4 nmol/L (<213 ng/dL), LH concentrations above 10 IU/L, or estradiol concentrations below 5.1 pmol/L had higher all-cause mortality, and those with testosterone concentrations below 5.3 nmol/L (<153 ng/dL) had higher CVD mortality risk. Lower SHBG concentration was associated with lower all-cause mortality (median for quintile 1 [Q1] vs. Q5, 20.6 vs. 68.3 nmol/L; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.85 [95% CI, 0.77 to 0.95]) and lower CVD mortality (adjusted HR, 0.81 [CI, 0.65 to 1.00]). Men with lower baseline DHT concentrations had higher risk for all-cause mortality (median for Q1 vs. Q5, 0.69 vs. 2.45 nmol/L; adjusted HR, 1.19 [CI, 1.08 to 1.30]) and CVD mortality (adjusted HR, 1.29 [CI, 1.03 to 1.61]), and risk also increased with DHT concentrations above 2.45 nmol/L. Men with DHT concentrations below 0.59 nmol/L had increased risk for incident CVD events. Observational study design, heterogeneity among studies, and imputation of missing data. Men with low testosterone, high LH, or very low estradiol concentrations had increased all-cause mortality. SHBG concentration was positively associated and DHT concentration was nonlinearly associated with all-cause and CVD mortality. Medical Research Future Fund, Government of Western Australia, and Lawley Pharmaceuticals. (PROSPERO: CRD42019139668).

Associations of soy product intake with all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality: Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study and updated meta-analyses.

We examined the associations of soy product intake with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality and mediations through CVD risk factors based on the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS), and conducted updated meta-analyses. A total of 29,825 participants aged 50 + years were included. Causes of death were identified through record linkage. Soy product intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze the associations between soy product intake and mortality, yielding hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Mediation analyses with CVD risk factors as mediators, and updated meta-analyses were conducted. During 454,689 person-years of follow-up, 6899 deaths occurred, including 2694 CVD and 2236 cancer. Participants who consumed soy product of 1-6 portions/week, versus no consumption, had significantly lower risks of all-cause and CVD mortality (adjusted HR (95% CI) 0.91 (0.86, 0.97) and 0.87 (0.79, 0.96), respectively). In participants who consumed soy product of ≥ 7 portions/week, the association of higher intake with lower CVD mortality was modestly mediated by total cholesterol (4.2%, 95% CI 1.0-16.6%). Updated meta-analyses showed that the highest level of soy product intake, versus the lowest, was associated with lower risks of all-cause and CVD mortality (pooled HR (95% CI) 0.92 (0.88, 0.96) and 0.92 (0.87, 0.98), respectively). Moderate and high soy product intake were associated with lower risks of all-cause and CVD mortality. Our findings provide support for current dietary guidelines recommending moderate soy product intake, and contribute additional evidence regarding the potential protective effects of high soy product intake.

Isotemporal Substitution Modeling on Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity With Mortality Among People With Different Diabetes Statuses: A Prospective Cohort Study From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Analysis 2007-2018.

To assess the associations of replacing sedentary behavior with different types of physical activity with mortality among the US adults of varying diabetes statuses. This prospective cohort study included 21,637 participants (mean age, 48.5y) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2018. Physical activity including leisure-time moderate-vigorous-intensity activity (MVPA), walking/bicycling, worktime MVPA, and sedentary behavior. We conducted an isotemporal substitution analysis using Cox regression to estimate the associations between replacements and mortality risks. We found significant protective associations between replacing 30minutes per day sedentary behavior with 3 types of physical activity and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk (except worktime MVPA for CVD mortality) among total participants, with hazard ratio (HR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) ranging from 0.86 (0.77-0.95) to 0.96 (0.94-0.98). Among participants with diagnosed diabetes, replacing sedentary behavior with leisure-time MVPA was associated with a lower all-cause mortality risk (HR 0.81, 95% CI, 0.70-0.94), which was also observed in other subgroups, with HRs (95% CI) ranging from 0.87 (0.80-0.94) to 0.89 (0.81-0.99). Among those with prediabetes/undiagnosed diabetes, replacing sedentary behavior with walking/bicycling was associated with lower CVD mortality risk, and replacement to work-time MVPA was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality risk, with HRs (95% CI) ranging from 0.72 (0.63-0.83) to 0.96 (0.92-0.99). Replacing sedentary behaviors with 30minutes per day leisure-time MVPA was associated with lower all-cause mortality, regardless of diabetes statuses. Among people with prediabetes/undiagnosed diabetes, walking/bicycling was additionally associated with lower CVD mortality, and worktime MVPA was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality.

Cholesterol paradox in the community-living old adults: is higher better?

To evaluate the associations of lipid indicators and mortality in Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study. A prospective cohort was conducted based on Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study with 4499 community older adults. After the baseline survey, the last follow-up was March 31, 2021 with an average 8.13 years of follow-up. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and all-cause death in associations with baseline lipid indicators. A total of 4499 participants were recruited, and the mean levels of uric acid, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed an upward trend with the increasing remnant cholesterol (RC) quarters (Ptrend < 0.05), while the downward trend was found in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). During the total 36,596 person-years follow-up, the CVD mortality and all-cause mortality during an average 8.13 years of follow-up was 3.87% (95% CI: 3.30%-4.43%) and 14.83% (95% CI: 13.79%-15.86%) with 174 CVD death participants and 667 all-cause death participants. After adjusting for confounders, the higher level of TC (HR = 0.854, 95% CI: 0.730-0.997), LDL-C (HR = 0.817, 95% CI: 0.680-0.982) and HDL-C (HR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.271-0.724) were associated with lower risk of CVD death, and the higher level of HDL-C (HR = 0.637, 95% CI: 0.501-0.810) were associated with lower risk of all-cause death. The higher level of RC (HR = 1.276, 95% CI: 1.010-1.613) increase the risk of CVD death. Compared with the normal lipid group, TC ≥ 6.20 mmol/L group and LDL-C ≥ 4.10 mmol/L group were no longer associated with lower risk of CVD death, while RC ≥ 0.80 mmol/L group was still associated with higher risk of CVD death. In normal lipid group, the higher levels of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C were related with lower CVD death. In community older adults, higher levels of TC and HDL-C were associated with lower CVD mortality in normal lipid reference range. Higher RC was associated with higher CVD mortality, which may be a better lipid indicator for estimating the CVD death risk in older adults.

Dietary Glutamine and Glutamate in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality in the United States Men and Women with Diabetes Mellitus

BackgroundEvidence regarding the potential health effects of dietary amino acids glutamine and glutamate among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is limited. ObjectivesThe aim was to examine dietary glutamine and glutamate in relation to subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality among individuals with T2D. MethodsWe prospectively followed 15,040 men and women with T2D at baseline or diagnosed during follow-up (Nurses' Health Study: 1980–2014 and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study: 1986–2018). Diet was repeatedly assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires every 2–4 y. Associations of energy-adjusted glutamine and glutamate intake, as well as their ratio, with CVD risk and mortality, were assessed using Cox proportional-hazards models with adjustments for demographics, dietary and lifestyle factors, and medical history. ResultsDuring 196,955 and 225,371 person-years of follow-up in participants with T2D, there were 2927 incident CVD cases and 4898 deaths, respectively. Higher intake of glutamine was associated with lower risk of CVD incidence, CVD mortality, and total mortality: comparing extreme quintiles, the hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 0.88 (0.77, 0.99), 0.78 (0.65, 0.92), and 0.84 (0.76, 0.92), respectively (all P-trend < 0.05). In contrast, higher intake of glutamate was associated with a higher risk of CVD incidence, CVD mortality, and total mortality; the HRs were 1.30 (1.15, 1.46), 1.46 (1.24, 1.72), and 1.20 (1.09, 1.32), respectively (all P-trend < 0.05). Furthermore, comparing extreme quintiles, a higher dietary glutamine-to-glutamate ratio was associated with a lower risk of CVD incidence (0.84 [0.75, 0.95]), CVD mortality (0.66 [0.57, 0.77]), and total mortality (0.82 [0.75, 0.90]). In addition, compared with participants with stable or decreased consumption of glutamine-to-glutamate ratio from prediabetes to postdiabetes diagnosis, those who increased the ratio had a 17% (5%, 27%) lower CVD mortality. ConclusionsIn adults with T2D, dietary glutamine was associated with a lower risk of CVD incidence and mortality, whereas the opposite was observed for glutamate intake.

Association of a Mediterranean Lifestyle With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Study from the UK Biobank

ObjectiveTo examine the association between the Mediterranean lifestyle and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in a British population. Patients and MethodsWe studied 110,799 individuals 40 to 75 years of age from the UK Biobank cohort, free of CVD or cancer between 2009 and 2012 who were followed-up to 2021. The Mediterranean lifestyle was assessed at baseline through the Mediterranean Lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index, derived from the lifestyle questionnaire and diet assessments and comprising three blocks: (1) “Mediterranean food consumption,” (2) “Mediterranean dietary habits,” and (3) “physical activity, rest, social habits, and conviviality.” Death information was retrieved from death register records. Cox regression models were used to analyze the study associations. ResultsDuring a median 9.4-year follow-up, 4247 total deaths, 2401 cancer deaths, and 731 CVD deaths were identified. Compared with the first quartile of the MEDLIFE index, increasing quartiles had HRs of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.97), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.89), and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.78) (P-trend<.001 for all-cause mortality). For cancer mortality, the quartiles had HRs of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.80 to 1.01), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.93), and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.82) (P-trend<.001). All MEDLIFE index blocks were independently associated with lower risk of all-cause and cancer death, and block 3 was associated with lower CVD mortality. ConclusionHigher adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle was associated with lower all-cause and cancer mortality in British middle-aged and older adults in a dose-response manner. Adopting a Mediterranean lifestyle adapted to the local characteristics of non-Mediterranean populations may be possible and part of a healthy lifestyle.

Association of Population Well-Being With Cardiovascular Outcomes

Mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) varies across communities and is associated with known structural and population health factors. Still, a population's well-being, including sense of purpose, social relationships, financial security, and relationship to community, may be an important target to improve cardiovascular health. To examine the association of population level measures of well-being with rates of CVD mortality in the US. This cross-sectional study linked data from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index (WBI) survey to county-level rates of CVD mortality from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. Participants were respondents of the WBI survey, which was conducted by Gallup with randomly selected adults aged 18 years or older from 2015 to 2017. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to May 2023. The primary outcome was the county-level rate of total CVD mortality; secondary outcomes were mortality rates for stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, and total heart disease. The association of population well-being (measured using a modified version of the WBI) with CVD mortality was assessed, and an analysis of whether the association was modified by county structural factors (Area Deprivation Index [ADI], income inequality, and urbanicity) and population health factors (percentages of the adult population who had hypertension, diabetes, or obesity; were currently smoking; and were physically inactive) was conducted. Population WBI and its ability to mediate the association of structural factors associated with CVD using structural equation models was also assessed. Well-being surveys were completed by 514 971 individuals (mean [SD] age 54.0 [19.2] years; 251 691 [48.9%] women; 379 521 [76.0%] White respondents) living in 3228 counties. Mortality rates for CVD decreased from a mean of 499.7 (range, 174.2-974.7) deaths per 100 000 persons in counties with the lowest quintile of population well-being to 438.6 (range, 110.1-850.4) deaths per 100 000 persons in counties with the highest quintile of population well-being. Secondary outcomes showed similar patterns. In the unadjusted model, the effect size (SE) of WBI on CVD mortality was -15.5 (1.5; P < .001), or a decrease of 15 deaths per 100 000 persons for each 1-point increase of population well-being. After adjusting for structural factors and structural plus population health factors, the association was attenuated but still significant, with an effect size (SE) of -7.3 (1.6; P < .001); for each 1-point increase in well-being, the total cardiovascular death rate decreased by 7.3 deaths per 100 000 persons. Secondary outcomes showed similar patterns, with mortality due to coronary heart disease and heart failure being significant in fully adjusted models. In mediation analyses, associations of income inequality and ADI with CVD mortality were all partly mediated by the modified population WBI. In this cross-sectional study assessing the association of well-being and cardiovascular outcomes, higher well-being, a measurable, modifiable, and meaningful outcome, was associated with lower CVD mortality, even after controlling for structural and cardiovascular-related population health factors, indicating that well-being may be a focus for advancing cardiovascular health.

Relation of Life's Essential 8 to the genetic predisposition for cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality: results from a national prospective cohort.

To evaluate the independent, mediating, interactive, and associated effects of Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and genetic predisposition on the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. We retrieved a total of 254 783 individuals from the UK Biobank. LE8 was determined by eight metrics (nicotine exposure, physical activity, diet, sleep, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids), and was characterized as low, moderate, and high cardiovascular health (CVH). Genetic predisposition was estimated using the polygenic risk score (PRS). Cox regressions were performed to evaluate the associations between LE8, PRS, and outcomes. During a median follow-up of 12.53 years, all-cause mortality occurred in 10 257 of 197 473 participants, cardiovascular mortality in 2074 of 215 675, and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 71 774 of 215 675. Individuals with moderate or high CVH experienced a lower risk [hazard ratios (HRs) 0.33 to 0.81] of adverse health outcomes compared with their counterparts with low CVH. A substantial proportion (16.1∼69.8%) of health outcomes could be attributable to moderate or high LE8, and up to 51.2% of the associations between PRS and adverse outcomes were mediated by LE8. In high PRS group, individuals with high CVH had lower CVD mortality (HR: 0.26, 95% confidence interval: 0.18, 0.39), compared to those with low CVH. Ideal CVH was associated with lower risks of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality, with a more pronounced association observed in individuals with high PRS for CVD. Improving CVH according to LE8 guidelines should be encouraged, especially for those with PRS that indicate high CVD risk.

Animal versus plant-based protein and risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies.

To systematically review the evidence on the effect of replacing the intake of animal protein with plant protein on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and their intermediate risk factors. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus up to 12th May 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective cohort studies that investigated replacement of animal protein with plant protein from foods. Outcomes were CVDs, T2D, and in RCTs also the effects on blood lipids, glycemic markers, and blood pressure. Risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane's RoB2, ROBINS-I, and USDA's RoB-NObS tools. Random-effects meta-analyses assessed the effects of plant vs. animal proteins on blood lipids in RCTs. The evidence was appraised according to the World Cancer Research Fund's criteria. After screening 15,090 titles/abstracts, full text of 124 papers was scrutinized in detail, from which 13 RCTs and seven cohort studies were included. Eight of the RCTs had either some concern or high risk of bias, while the corresponding evaluation of cohort studies resulted in moderate risk of bias for all seven. Meta-analyses of RCTs suggested a protective effect on total cholesterol (mean difference -0.11 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.22, -0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.14 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.25, -0.02) by replacing animal protein with plant protein. The substitution of animal protein with plant protein (percentage of energy intake) in cohort studies was associated with lower CVD mortality (n = 4) and lower T2D incidence (n = 2). The evidence was considered limited-suggestive for both outcomes. Evidence that the substitution of animal protein with plant protein reduces risk of both CVD mortality and T2D incidence is limited-suggestive. Replacing animal protein with plant protein for aspects of sustainability may also be a public health strategy to lower the risk of CVD mortality and T2D.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are inversely associated with all-cause mortality among Koreans: a nationwide cohort study

Evidence on the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Asians, especially Koreans, is limited. We hypothesized that high concentrations of 25(OH)D are associated with lower all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the general Korean population. This study included 27,846 adults participating in the Fourth and Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2012, followed up through December 31, 2019. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer were estimated using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression. The weighted mean serum 25(OH)D of study participants was 17.77 ng/mL; 66.5% had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and 94.2% had insufficient vitamin D (<30 ng/mL). During a median follow-up of 9.4 years (interquartile range, 8.1–10.6 years), 1680 deaths were documented, including 362 CVD deaths and 570 cancer deaths. Serum 25(OH)D levels ≥30 ng/mL were inversely associated with all-cause mortality (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.43–0.75) compared with serum 25(OH)D levels <10 ng/mL. Based on the quartile cutoffs of serum 25(OH)D concentration, the highest quartile of serum 25(OH)D concentration (≥21.8 ng/mL) was associated with the lowest all-cause mortality (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60–0.85; P trend < .001), and CVD mortality (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42–0.85; P trend = .006). No association with cancer mortality outcome was found. In conclusion, higher serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with lower all-cause mortality in the general Korean population. An additional association was found between higher quartile of serum 25(OH)D and lower CVD mortality.

Abstract P418: Dietary Glutamine and Glutamate in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: The potential health effects of dietary glutamine and glutamate have been studied in healthy populations, but evidence among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who have altered macronutrient metabolism and elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is limited. Objectives: We aimed to examine dietary glutamine and glutamate in relation to subsequent risk of CVD, including coronary heart disease and stroke, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among individuals with T2D. Methods: We prospectively followed 15,040 men and women with T2D at baseline or diagnosed during follow-up (Nurses' Health Study: 1980-2014, Health Professionals Follow-Up Study: 1986-2018). Diet was repeatedly assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires every 2-4 years since baseline. Associations of energy-adjusted glutamine and glutamate intake, as well as their ratio, with CVD risk and mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models with adjustments for demographics, dietary and lifestyle factors, and medical history. Results: During 196,955 and 225,371person-years of follow-up in participants with T2D, there were 2,927 incident CVD cases and 4,898 deaths, respectively. Higher intake of glutamine was associated with lower risk of incident CVD, total mortality and CVD mortality: comparing extreme quintiles, the HRs (95%CIs) were 0.88 (0.77, 0.99), 0.85 (0.77, 0.94), and 0.82 (0.69, 0.98), respectively (all P trend &lt;0.05). In contrast, higher intake of glutamate was associated with higher risk of incident CVD, total mortality, and CVD mortality; the HRs were 1.30 (1.15, 1.46), 1.19 (1.08, 1.31), and 1.42 (1.21, 1.67), respectively (all P trend &lt;0.05). Furthermore, comparing extreme quintiles, higher dietary glutamine-to-glutamate ratio was associated with lower risk of CVD incidence (0.84 (0.75, 0.95)), total mortality (0.83 (0.76, 0.91)), and CVD mortality (0.69 (0.59, 0.80)). In addition, compared with participants without increment in glutamine-to-glutamate ratio from pre- to post-diabetes diagnosis, those who increased the ratio had a 15% (3%, 25%) lower CVD mortality. Conclusions: In patients with T2D, dietary glutamine and glutamate demonstrated divergent associations with CVD incidence and mortality, and higher dietary glutamine-to-glutamate ratio was significantly associated with lower CVD incidence and mortality. These data suggest a potential critical role of these two amino acids in the etiology of cardiometabolic diseases and early deaths also among adults with T2D.

Abstract MP08: Association of a Mediterranean Lifestyle With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study From UK Biobank

Background: There is strong evidence that the Mediterranean diet protects from cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, beyond diet, the Mediterranean lifestyle may have synergistic effects through the combination of other health behaviors, such as adequate rest or sociability. While most evidence on this lifestyle pattern comes from Mediterranean countries, little is known about the health effects of a Mediterranean lifestyle in non-Mediterranean populations. Our aim was to examine the association between a Mediterranean lifestyle index (MEDLIFE) and all-cause, (CVD), and cancer mortality in a British population. Methods: We used data from 110,799 individuals free of CVD or cancer, aged 40-69 years, from the UK Biobank cohort, who were followed from 2006-2010 to 2020. The Mediterranean lifestyle was assessed through the validated 26-item MEDLIFE index derived from the lifestyle questionnaire and from 2 or more Oxford WebQ Online 24-hour diet recalls. MEDLIFE comprised three blocks: a) Block 1 (13 items): Mediterranean food consumption, b) Block 2 (7 items): Mediterranean dietary habits, c) Block 3 (6 items): Physical activity, rest, social habits, and conviviality. Mortality was obtained from the death register records. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to analyse associations between MEDLIFE and all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. Results: After a mean 9.4-year follow-up, 4,247 deaths were identified. Higher adherence to the MEDLIFE index was associated with lower all-cause and cancer mortality in a dose-response manner. Compared to the first quartile of adherence to the MEDLIFE, the increasingly higher quartiles had a HR (95% CI) of 0.89 (0.81 -0.97), 0.81 (0.74-0.89) and 0.71 (0.65-0.78), p-trend &lt;0.001, for all-cause mortality; and 0.90 (0.80-1.01), 0.83 (0.74-0.93) and 0.72 (0.64-0.82), p -trend &lt;0.001, for cancer mortality. All MEDLIFE blocks were independently associated with lower risk of all-cause and cancer death, and block 3 with lower CVD mortality. Conclusions: A Mediterranean lifestyle was associated to reduced all-cause and cancer-mortality in British middle-aged and older adults; this suggests that adopting a Mediterranean lifestyle adapted to the local characteristics of non-Mediterranean populations is possible and can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Adherence to lifestyle advice and its related cardiovascular disease risk among US adults with high cholesterol.

Little is known about adherence to lifestyle advice from health professionals among people with high blood cholesterol, and its relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to examine the proportion of adherence to lifestyle advice and its effect on lipid profile and CVD among people with high cholesterol. Within the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2010, the study included adults aged ≥20 years who were recommended to improve lifestyles in diet (N=6645), bodyweight (N=4797), or exercise (N=5594) due to their high cholesterol. Adherent status was self-reported through questionnaires. Lipid measurements were collected from laboratory tests. 10-year Atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk was estimated by using pooled cohort risk equations for participants aged 40-79 years. CVD mortality up to December 31, 2019 was obtained from the National Death Index. The percentages of adherents were 80.9%, 80.7%, and 72.7% for eating less fat, controlling weight, and increasing exercise, respectively. The percentages of adherents for controlling weight and increasing exercise significantly increased from 1999 to 2000 to 2009-2010 (both Ptrend <0.05). Adherents had a higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lower total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio than non-adherents (Pfor difference <0.05 for all). Participants adhering to increasing exercise had a lower odds ratio of 10-year intermediate-to-high ASCVD risk (Odd ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56-0.95) and a lower CVD mortality (Hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.51-0.97) than non-adherents. Lifestyle advice from health staff obtained relatively high and increasing acceptability. Given the better lipid profile and lower CVD risk of adherents, health professionals should be encouraged to recommend lifestyle modifications for adults with high cholesterol in clinical practice.

Associations of Boiled Water and Lifespan Water Sources With Mortality: A Cohort Study of 33,467 Older Adults.

Background:There were few studies to report whether drinking water sources and habits affected health outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how boiled water and lifespan water sources affected the risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in the elderly.MethodsThis study was a 20-year cohort study. All participants aged ≥60 years were eligible. Exposures of interest included lifespan drinking water sources and habits, which were collected using a validated questionnaire. Drinking water sources included wells, surface water, spring, and tap water in childhood, around the age of 60 years, and at present. Drinking habits included boiled and un-boiled water. The main end events included CVD and all-cause mortality.ResultsThere were 33,467 participants in this study. Compared to tap water, drinking well and surface water around the age of 60 years were associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.092, 95% CI: 1.051–1.134, P < 0.001; and HR: 1.136, 95% CI: 1.081–1.194, P < 0.001, respectively). However, only drinking spring around aged 60 years and drinking well at present were associated with a lower CVD mortality (HR: 0.651, 95% CI: 0.452–0.939, P = 0.022; and HR: 0.757, 95% CI: 0.665–0.863, P < 0.001, respectively). Boiled water was not associated with mortality.ConclusionsDrinking water from well and surface water around the age of 60 years were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Drinking water from spring around the age of 60 years and well at present was associated with a decreased CVD mortality. However, boiled water was not associated with mortality.

Dietary Phytoestrogens and Total and Cause-Specific Mortality: Results From Two Prospective Cohort Studies

ObjectivesEvidence regarding dietary phytoestrogens in relation to mortality remains limited and mixed. We aimed to examine associations of dietary intake of total and subclasses of phytoestrogens, specifically: isoflavones, lignans, and coumarins, with total and cause-specific mortality in US men and women.MethodsWe prospectively followed 75,981 women in the Nurses’ Health Study (1984–2018), and 44,001 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986–2018), who were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, or cancer at baseline. Diet was repeatedly assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires every 2–4 years. Associations with total and cause-specific mortality (CVD, cancer, and other) were assessed using time-dependent Cox models with adjustments for demographics, dietary and lifestyle factors, and medical history.ResultsDuring 3,427,156 person-years of follow-up, we documented 50,734 deaths, including 12,492 CVD deaths, 13,726 cancer deaths, and 24,516 other deaths. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, higher total phytoestrogen intake was associated with lower total, CVD, and other mortality: comparing extreme quintiles, the pooled HRs (95%CIs) were 0.89 (0.87, 0.92) for total mortality, 0.90 (0.85, 0.96) for CVD mortality, and 0.86 (0.82, 0.90) for other mortality. Furthermore, isoflavones, lignans, and coumarins were all inversely associated with mortality. Specifically, for total mortality, comparing extreme quintiles, the pooled HRs (95%CIs) were 0.90 (0.87, 0.92) for total isoflavones, 0.93 (0.90, 0.96) for total lignans, and 0.93 (0.90, 0.95) for coumarins. These phytoestrogens were also significantly associated with lower CVD mortality or other mortality, although only coumarins were significantly associated with lower cancer mortality. Primary food sources of phytoestrogens, such as tofu, soymilk, whole grains, tea, flaxseed, and flaxseed oil, were inversely associated with total mortality.ConclusionsHigher intake of total phytoestrogens, including isoflavones, lignans, and coumarins as well as foods rich in these compounds were associated with lower total and certain cause-specific mortality in generally healthy U.S. adults. These data suggest that these phytochemicals and their dietary sources may be integrated into an overall healthy diet to achieve a longer life span.Funding SourcesNIH.

Pre-diagnosis Diet and Physical Activity and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Among Female Cancer Survivors

ObjectivesBetter diet quality and higher physical activity (PA) levels have been associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, but the relationship between pre- cancer diagnosis diet quality and PA level on CVD mortality risk in cancer survivors is unclear. We examined the association between pre-cancer diagnosis diet quality and leisure time PA, and their interaction, on CVD mortality in cancer survivors.MethodsFemale cancer survivors who were diagnosed during follow-up and had no history of cancer, stroke, or heart attack at baseline were identified. Analyses excluded: (1) participants who lived outside California at baseline, (3) missing food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) or recreational PA data, (4) total energy intake less than 600 kilocalories/day or above 3,500 kilocalories/day or (5) survivors whose cancer was diagnosed within 1 year of the baseline questionnaire. Diet quality was characterized by the Alternative Mediterranean Diet Index (aMED). Leisure time PA was converted to metabolic equivalent of task hours per week (MET-h/wk). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsDuring a median of 6.3 years of follow-up of 18,533 female cancer survivors, we identified 915 CVD deaths. aMED did not show a significant association with CVD mortality. Pre-cancer diagnosis PA was independently associated with lower CVD mortality (HRQ1-Q4 = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61–0.88; Ptrend < 0.0014). No significant interaction was observed between pre-cancer diagnosis aMED score and PA with CVD mortality but compared to participants with the lowest pre-diagnosis aMED score and physical activity levels, participants with higher aMED scores and higher MET-hrs/wk were at 33% lower risk of CVD mortality (HR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.52–0.87).ConclusionsOverall, this study shows PA level to be a strong predictor of CVD mortality in female cancer survivors. Our observations support the importance of PA throughout the lifecycle in decreasing risk of CVD mortality. Primary care physicians (PCPs) should continue to relay the significance of PA level in their healthy patients prior to a potential diagnosis of cancer.Funding SourcesNational Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Low-Carbohydrate Diets Score and Mortality Among Adults with Incident Type 2 Diabetes

ObjectivesIt is unclear whether adherence to low carbohydrate diet (LCD) patterns is beneficial towards type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. The present study aims to prospectively examine the association between post-diagnostic LCD patterns and mortality among T2D patients.MethodsWe included participants from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who were diagnosed with T2D during the follow-up. An overall total low carbohydrate diet score (TLCDS) was calculated based on the percentage of energy as total carbohydrates. In addition, plant (PLCDS) and animal-based LCD scores (ALCDS) emphasizing plant or animal protein and fat consumption, respectively, healthy LCD (HLCDS) and unhealthy LCD (ULCDS) emphasizing high or low quality of carbohydrates and fats, respectively, were further derived. All LCDS were cumulative averaged since the T2D diagnosis. Cause of death was identified from death certifications or review of medical records. A multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to assess the association between LCDS and mortality.ResultsAmong 10,101 participants with incident T2D contributing 139,417 person-years during follow-up, we documented 4,452 deaths of which 1,326 and 875 cases were attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, respectively. The pooled multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs, 95% CIs) of total mortality per 10 points increment of post-diagnostic LCDS were 0.87 (0.82,0.92) for TLCDS, 0.75 (0.70,0.80) for PLCDS, and 0.78 (0.73,0.84) for HLCDS. Both PLCDS and HLCDS were also associated with significantly lower CVD and cancer mortality. Each 10 points increase of TLCDS, PLCDS, and HLCDS from pre-diagnostic to post-diagnostic period were associated with 13% (7%, 18%), 16% (20%, 31%), and 15% (20%, 31%) lower total mortality. Increasing pre-to-post-diagnostic PLCDS and HLCDS were also associated with significantly lower CVD mortality and cancer mortality. No significant associations were observed for either cumulative averaged or change of ALCDS and ULCDS.ConclusionsAmong diabetes patients, greater adherence to LCD patterns that emphasize high quality sources of macronutrients was significantly associated with lower total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.Funding SourcesNational Institute of Health.

Health Habits and Wearable Activity Tracker Devices: Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Wearable activity trackers are electronic devices that facilitate self-monitoring of information related to health. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of tracker devices to record daily activity (calories) and its associations with gender, generation, BMI, and physical activity behavior of United States of America resident adults; a cross-sectional study in 892 subjects recruited to participate in an anonymous online survey was performed. Being female increased the odds of using a tracker device by 2.3 times. Having low cardiovascular disease mortality risk related to time spent sitting increased the odds for using a tracker device by 2.7 times, and having medium risk 1.9 times, with respect to having high risk. For every 1-point increase in BMI, the odds for using a tracker device increased by 5.2%. Conclusions: Subjects who had ever used any tracker device had a higher BMI. The use of tracker devices was related to lower cardiovascular disease mortality risk related to sitting time. The amount of physical activity and the time spent walking were not associated with the usage of tracker devices. It is possible that the user of tracker devices should be supported by professionals to implement deep change in health habits.

Association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular mortality in statin non-users: a prospective cohort study in 14.9 million Korean adults.

Limited information is available on detailed sex/age-specific associations between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and 'the optimal range' associated with the lowest CVD mortality in the general population. Korean adults (N = 14 884 975) who received routine health screenings during 2009-2010 were followed until 2018 for CVD mortality. During 8.8 years (mean) of follow-up, 94 344 individuals died from CVD. LDL-C had U-curve associations with mortality from CVD and its subtypes, except haemorrhagic stroke. Optimal range was 90-149 mg/dL for CVD; 70-114 for ischaemic heart disease; 85-129 for ischaemic stroke; ≥85 for subarachnoid haemorrhage; ≥130 for intracerebral haemorrhage; 115-159 for hypertension and heart failure; and 100-144 for sudden cardiac death. Assuming linear associations between 100 and 300 mg/dL, LDL-C was positively associated with CVD mortality [hazard ratio (HR) per 39-mg/dL (1-mmol/L) higher LDL-C = 1.10], largely due to ischaemic heart disease (HR = 1.26), followed by sudden cardiac death (HR = 1.13), ischaemic stroke (HR = 1.11) and heart failure (HR = 1.05). Intracerebral haemorrhage (HR = 0.90), but not subarachnoid haemorrhage, had inverse associations. Women and older adults had weaker positive associations than men and younger adults (Pinteraction < 0.001 for both sex and age). Individuals aged 75-84 years had modest positive associations with CVD mortality, especially ischaemic heart disease and ischaemic stroke. LDL-C had U-curve associations for CVD mortality. The associations and optimal ranges differed across CVD subtypes. Women and older adults had weaker positive associations than men and younger adults. Positive associations with ischaemic heart disease and ischaemic stroke were maintained in adults aged 75-84 years.

Stage 1 hypertension and risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in United States adults with or without diabetes.

This study aimed to investigate the association of S1 hypertension, classified according to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association blood pressure (BP) guideline, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in adults with or without diabetes from the general United States population. This cohort study included 40 518 United States adults (including 3555 with diabetes) naive to antihypertensive drugs who attended the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1988 to 2014. Participants were followed up for 489 679 person-years (mean follow-up, 12.1 years) with 1569 CVD deaths being recorded. S1 hypertension was neither associated with an increased CVD mortality risk in the whole cohort nor in participants with or without diabetes after full adjustment. In age-stratified analyses, compared with normal BP, S1 hypertension was associated with increased CVD mortality in young adults, unrelated to CVD mortality in midlife, and associated with lower CVD mortality in the elderly. In older participants (≥70 years), people with S1 hypertension had a 23% lower multivariate-adjusted CVD mortality risk compared with those with normal BP (hazard ratio 0.77; 95% confidence interval 0.61-0.98). In younger (<70 years) adults without diabetes, people with normal BP had the lowest CVD mortality risk; however, in younger adults with diabetes, it was people with elevated BP who had the lowest CVD mortality risk. In this representative sample of United States adults not on BP-lowering medications, S1 hypertension was associated with elevated CVD mortality in younger adults and with lower CVD mortality in those 70 or more years of age.