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Background: To prospectively assess the individual and joint effects of birth weight and the life's essential 8 (LE8)-defined cardiovascular health (CVH) on myocardial infarction (MI) risk in later life. Methods: In 144,803 baseline MI-free participants who were recruited in the UK Biobank cohort between 2006 and 2010, Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the associations of birth weight, LE8 score, and their interactions with incident MI. LE8 was defined on the basis of diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids. Results: Low birth weight was associated with higher risk of MI [hazard ratio (HR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.35, P = 0.025], while no significant correlation between high birth weight and MI was observed after adjustment. Low CVH was associated with higher MI risk [HR 6.43 (3.71-11.15), P < 0.001). Participants with low birth weight and low CVH (vs. participants with normal birth weight and high CVH) had HR of 5.97 (2.94-12.14) for MI incidence. The relative excess risk due to interaction of low birth weight and low CVH on MI was -4.11 (-8.12, -0.11), indicating a negative interaction on an additive scale. A consistent decreasing trend of MI risk along with increased LE8 score was observed across all three birth weight groups. Conclusion: Low birth weight was associated with increased MI risk, emphasizing the importance of the prenatal factor in risk prediction and prevention of MI. Improving LE8 can mitigate MI risk attributed to low birth weight.

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BACKGROUND: The association between Life's essential 8 (LE 8), depression, and mortality still unexplored. METHODS: Data of 23,247 participants aged ≥20 years old were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018 in this retrospective cohort study. Depression symptoms were determined by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and antidepressant use. Cardiovascular health was assessed using LE 8. Potential covariates were selected using weighted univariate Cox regression models. The associations of LE 8, depression symptoms, with mortality were explored via univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, and restricted cubic spline. And the relationships were further investigated with stratified by LE 8 scores. The results were presented as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Of the total 23,247 adults, 3208 (15.95 %) suffered from depression symptoms. After 99.75 months of mean follow-up time, 2400 individuals were died. Of these, 781 deaths were from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Depression symptoms were associated with higher odds of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.06-1.45) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.04-1.77). LE 8 score < 80 was marginal significance associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 1.14, 95%CI: 0.99-1.32). LE 8 had moderating effects on the associations of depression symptoms with all-cause (HR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.16-1.67, P trend <0.05) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.09-2.46, P trend <0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher LE 8 scores may moderate the association of depression symptoms with all-cause and CVD mortality. Adherence to healthier lifestyle behaviors may improve the prognosis of depression.

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OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the relationship between the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) scoring system and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among obese individuals using NHANES data. METHODS: Data from 9,143 obese participants (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) collected between 2005 and 2018 were analyzed. Participants were categorized based on their LE8 scores: low cardiovascular health (Low CVH, n=2264), moderate cardiovascular health (Moderate CVH, n=6541), and high cardiovascular health (High CVH, n=338). Associations between LE8 scores and mortality were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 7.3 years, there were 867 all-cause deaths (9.5%), including 246 cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths (2.7%) and 621 non-CVD deaths (6.8%). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, compared to the Low CVH group, the Moderate CVH group had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.55-0.72), and the High CVH group had an HR of 0.25 (95% CI: 0.10-0.60). For CVD mortality, the HRs were 0.61 (95% CI: 0.47-0.78) for Moderate CVH and 0.19 (95% CI: 0.03-1.38) for High CVH. For non-CVD mortality, the HRs were 0.64 (95% CI: 0.54-0.75) for Moderate CVH and 0.27 (95% CI: 0.10-0.72) for High CVH. Each 10-point increase in LE8 score was associated with a 20% reduction in all-cause mortality (P<0.001), 21% reduction in CVD mortality (P<0.001), and 20% reduction in non-CVD mortality (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher LE8 scores are significantly associated with lower rates of all-cause, CVD, and non-CVD mortality among obese individuals. These findings support the LE8 scoring system as an effective predictor of health status and mortality risk.

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Background: The association between exposure to cadmium (Cd) and cardiovascular health (CVH) has received considerable scientific interest. However, findings thus far have been inconclusive, particularly regarding sex-specific effects and dose-response relationships. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationships of blood Cd levels with the overall and component CVH scores. Methods: We used data from the 2011-2018 NHANES to assess CVH using indicators such as BMI, blood pressure, lipid profiles, glucose levels, diet, physical activity, nicotine use, and sleep quality, each rated on a 0-100 scale. The overall CVH score was calculated as the average of these indicators. We employed both multiple linear and restricted cubic spline analyses to examine the relationship between blood Cd levels and CVH scores, including nonlinear patterns and subgroup-specific effects. Results: Our analysis revealed that higher blood Cd levels were associated with lower overall CVH, nicotine exposure, sleep, and diet scores, with nonlinear decreases observed in overall CVH and nicotine exposure scores at specific thresholds (-1.447 and -1.752 log µg/dL, respectively). Notably, sex differences were evident; females experienced more adverse effects of Cd on CVH and lipid scores, while in males, Cd exposure was positively correlated with BMI, a link not observed in females. Conclusion: Our study highlights the complex interplay between blood Cd levels and various aspects of CVH, revealing significant dose-response relationships and sex disparities. These findings enhance our understanding of the biobehavioral mechanisms linking Cd exposure to cardiovascular risk.

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Cadmio , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , Humanos , Cadmio/sangre , Femenino , Masculino , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/sangre , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores Sexuales , Adulto , Encuestas Nutricionales , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Anciano , Índice de Masa Corporal , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversos

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INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular health is important for brain aging, yet its role in the clinical manifestation of autosomal dominant or atypical forms of dementia has not been fully elucidated. We examined relationships between Life's Simple 7 (LS7) and clinical trajectories in individuals with autosomal dominant frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). METHODS: Two hundred forty-seven adults carrying FTLD pathogenic genetic variants (53% asymptomatic) and 189 non-carrier controls completed baseline LS7, and longitudinal neuroimaging and neuropsychological testing. RESULTS: Among variant carriers, higher baseline LS7 is associated with slower accumulation of frontal white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), as well as slower memory and language declines. Higher baseline LS7 associated with larger baseline frontotemporal volume, but not frontotemporal volume trajectories. DISCUSSION: Better baseline cardiovascular health related to slower cognitive decline and accumulation of frontal WMHs in autosomal dominant FTLD. Optimizing cardiovascular health may be an important modifiable approach to bolster cognitive health and brain integrity in FTLD. HIGHLIGHTS: Better cardiovascular health associates with slower cognitive decline in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Lifestyle relates to the accumulation of frontal white matter hyperintensities in FTLD. More optimal cardiovascular health associates with greater baseline frontotemporal lobe volume. Optimized cardiovascular health relates to more favorable outcomes in genetic dementia.

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The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a fundamental and widely used tool for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases. It involves recording cardiac electrical signals using electrodes, which illustrate the functioning of cardiac muscles during contraction and relaxation phases. ECG is instrumental in identifying abnormal cardiac activity, heart attacks, and various cardiac conditions. Arrhythmia detection, a critical aspect of ECG analysis, entails accurately classifying heartbeats. However, ECG signal analysis demands a high level of expertise, introducing the possibility of human errors in interpretation. Hence, there is a clear need for robust automated detection techniques. Recently, numerous methods have emerged for arrhythmia detection from ECG signals. In our research, we developed a novel one-dimensional deep neural network technique called linear deep convolutional neural network (LDCNN) to identify arrhythmias from ECG signals. We compare our suggested method with several state-of-the-art algorithms for arrhythmia detection. We evaluate our methodology using benchmark datasets, including the PTB Diagnostic ECG and MIT-BIH Arrhythmia databases. Our proposed method achieves high accuracy rates of 99.24% on the PTB Diagnostic ECG dataset and 99.38% on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia dataset.

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Arritmias Cardíacas , Electrocardiografía , Redes Neurales de la Computación , Humanos , Electrocardiografía/métodos , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Arritmias Cardíacas/fisiopatología , Aprendizaje Profundo , Procesamiento de Señales Asistido por Computador , Algoritmos

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BACKGROUND: This study evaluated cardiovascular health, dietary habits, physical activity, depression, and sleep quality in young university adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to assess anthropometric, biochemical, and cardiovascular health behaviors. The study included 158 university students aged 18 to 30 years (65% women, 35% men, average age: 20.3 ± 2.4 years), selected through non-probabilistic sampling. Measurements included BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and visceral fat using bioelectrical impedance. Health behaviors were evaluated via questionnaires on physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, ultra-processed food consumption, and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The cardiovascular health index was assessed with the "Life's Essential 8" questionnaire and depression was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Fisher's F test, Student's t-test, and simple linear regression, conducted using SPSS Statistics version 25.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp), with significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Women showed better adherence to healthy behaviors. Higher fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity were associated with lower visceral fat. Higher visceral fat is correlated with increased blood pressure and decreased HDL cholesterol. Smoking and frequent ultra-processed food consumption were linked to higher depression scores, which were associated with poorer sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for physical and mental health, providing a basis for public health interventions.

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Childhood obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities have become pressing public health concerns worldwide, significantly impacting cardiovascular health. Metabolic syndrome, characterized by a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including central obesity, altered glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension, has emerged as a critical precursor to cardiovascular disease. Chronic systemic inflammation and oxidative stress seem to play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity-related disorders such as early atherosclerosis. A significant distinction between the objective components of cardiovascular health metrics, including body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and fasting glucose levels, and the definition of metabolic syndrome is evident in the identification of obesity. Whereas cardiovascular health metrics predominantly rely on body mass index percentiles to assess obesity, metabolic syndrome criteria prioritize waist circumference, specifically targeting individuals with a measurement ≥90th percentile. This discrepancy emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach in assessing the risks associated with obesity and underscores the importance of considering multiple factors when evaluating cardiovascular risk in children. By recognizing the complex interplay between various health metrics, obesity and metabolic syndrome criteria, clinicians can more accurately identify individuals at risk and tailor interventions accordingly to mitigate cardiovascular disease in children with obesity.

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Enfermedades Cardiovasculares , Inflamación , Síndrome Metabólico , Estrés Oxidativo , Obesidad Infantil , Humanos , Inflamación/metabolismo , Niño , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Obesidad Infantil/complicaciones , Obesidad Infantil/metabolismo , Obesidad Infantil/epidemiología , Salud Infantil

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Individuals with cardiometabolic disease (CMD) face high risks of adverse outcomes. However, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of comprehensive risk assessment using the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score in CMD. This study aimed to examine the associations between LE8 and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates in individuals with CMD. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 11,198 NHANES participants, categorized into low, moderate, and high CVH groups according to LE8 scores. The LE8 score consists of eight components: diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, BMI, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. A higher LE8 score indicates better cardiovascular health. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression and restricted cubic splines were employed to estimate the associations. Subgroup analyses considered age, sex, race and ethnicity, income, marital status, and education. During a median follow-up of 91 months, 1079 deaths were recorded, 325 of which were cardiovascular. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratio (HR) per 10-point increase in LE8 was 0.79 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.75-0.84) for all-cause mortality and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.64-0.79) for cardiovascular mortality. Participants with moderate and high LE8 levels showed similar inverse associations. Those under 60 exhibited more pronounced associations (P for interaction <0.05). After adjusting for multiple variables, a linear relationship was observed between LE8 and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the CMD population. CONCLUSIONS: The newly introduced LE8 showed a significant negative association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk among CMD individuals, highlighting its potential for CMD tertiary prevention.

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BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular health is influenced by various factors, including sarcopenia and depression. It has been demonstrated that sarcopenia has a negative impact on cardiovascular disease, with depression also being a contributing factor. However, the complex interplay between sarcopenia, depressive symptoms, and cardiovascular health in middle-aged and elderly populations is not fully explored. METHODS: A total of 23,445 participants participated in China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and completed relevant measurements, including the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The study also assessed sarcopenia and cardiovascular health score. The focus of the study was to test whether the association between sarcopenia and cardiovascular health scores was mediated by depression using PROCESS macros in R 4.3.2. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to affirm the robustness of our findings. RESULT: The study revealed a partial mediation between sarcopenia and cardiovascular health score among the middle and elder adults, mediated by depression. Sarcopenia had a significant negative correlation with cardiovascular health score (B = -12.404, P < 0.05), and depression also showed a significant negative correlation (B = -1.515, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results support the notion that depression partially mediated the association between sarcopenia and cardiovascular health score. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving mood and addressing other cardiovascular risk factors may help alleviate the adverse effects of sarcopenia and potentially reduce the progression to cardiovascular disease.

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Background: Life's Essential 8 (LE8), an indicator of cardiovascular health (CVH), can predict overall and cardiovascular mortality in the general population. Considering that cancer survivors have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), our study aimed to investigate the association between LE8 and the prognosis of cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 2191 cancer survivors were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018). LE8 scores, derived from eight individual metrics, were categorized into three groups: low (0-49), moderate (50-79), and high (80-100). Cox regression analysis, nonlinear analysis, sensitivity analysis, and subgroup analysis were conducted to explore the association between LE8 scores and mortality risks, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: During a median follow-up of six years, 479 deaths were recorded, including 118 CVD events and 156 cancer events. LE8 scores showed an inverse linear relationship with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. A 10-point increase in LE8 scores was associated with a 25 % reduction in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95 % CI, 0.66-0.85) and a 29 % reduction in cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.71; 95 % CI, 0.57-0.89). Additionally, moderate CVH was linked to a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.55; 95 % CI, 0.37-0.81), while high CVH was associated with an even lower risk (HR, 0.35; 95 % CI, 0.19-0.68). Similarly, moderate CVH demonstrated a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.31; 95 % CI, 0.15-0.63), with high CVH showing an even lower risk (HR, 0.23; 95 % CI, 0.09-0.58). However, LE8 scores was not associated with cancer-specific mortality. Conclusions: A higher LE8 score was independently associated with a decreased risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in cancer survivors, underscoring the significance of optimizing CVH during the survivorship phase of cancer care.

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Objective: Standing desks present a novel approach to reduce sedentary time in the classroom and address cardiovascular risk factors at an early age. In the context of designing a standing desk study, parents and children were surveyed regarding their perceptions and current use of standing desks and other flexible seating. Methods: Survey administered from January 31st to February 26th, 2024 to a convenience cohort of 50 parent-child pairs presenting for well or acute care at a pediatrics clinic affiliated with an academic institution (Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States). Logistic regression examined parent support of and child willingness to use a standing desk in the classroom. Results: Parents were primarily non-Hispanic, white females above 40 years of age. Child participants mean age and grade level were 10.5 years and 5th grade respectively. Among parents, 85 % (39/46) were supportive of their child's use of a standing desk in the classroom, with 4 declining to answer. For children, almost half, 48 % (24/50), were willing to use a standing desk. Acceptability decreased for child body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile versus BMI <85th percentile (parent acceptability OR = 0.07 [95 % CI: 0.01-0.63; p = 0.018]; child acceptability: OR = 0.13 [95 % CI 0.03-0.51, p = 0.003]). Conclusions: Most parents and children are amenable to use of a standing desk in the classroom. Additional information for children with elevated BMI and their parents may be required to address reservations about standing. This study was limited by its small sample size, which may not generalize to other populations.

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BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease represents a significant risk factor for mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is believed to play a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular health through its multifaceted atheroprotective effects and its capacity to enhance glycemic control. The impact of dietary interventions and intermittent fasting (IF) on HDL functionality remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary interventions and IF as a strategy to safely improve glycemic control and reduce body weight on functional parameters of HDL in individuals with T2DM. METHODS: Before the 12-week intervention, all participants (n = 41) of the INTERFAST-2 study were standardized to a uniform basal insulin regimen and randomized to an IF or non-IF group. Additionally, all participants were advised to adhere to dietary recommendations that promoted healthy eating patterns. The IF group (n = 19) followed an alternate-day fasting routine, reducing their calorie intake by 75% on fasting days. The participants' glucose levels were continuously monitored. Other parameters were measured following the intervention: Lipoprotein composition and subclass distribution were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. HDL cholesterol efflux capacity, paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activity were assessed using cell-based assays and commercially available kits. Apolipoprotein M (apoM) levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Following the 12-week intervention, the IF regimen significantly elevated serum apoM levels (p = 0.0144), whereas no increase was observed in the non-IF group (p = 0.9801). ApoM levels correlated with weight loss and fasting glucose levels in the IF group. Both groups exhibited a robust enhancement in HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0006) after 12 weeks. Notably, only the non-IF group exhibited significantly elevated activity of PON1 (p = 0.0455) and LCAT (p = 0.0117) following the 12-week intervention. In contrast, the changes observed in the IF group did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: A balanced diet combined with meticulous insulin management improves multiple metrics of HDL function. While additional IF increases apoM levels, it does not further enhance other aspects of HDL functionality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS) on 3 September 2019 under the number DRKS00018070.

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Biomarcadores , Glucemia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Ayuno , Obesidad , Fosfatidilcolina-Esterol O-Aciltransferasa , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/diagnóstico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/dietoterapia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/fisiopatología , Femenino , Ayuno/sangre , Fosfatidilcolina-Esterol O-Aciltransferasa/sangre , Resultado del Tratamiento , Obesidad/sangre , Obesidad/diagnóstico , Obesidad/dietoterapia , Obesidad/fisiopatología , Obesidad/terapia , Glucemia/metabolismo , Factores de Tiempo , Biomarcadores/sangre , Restricción Calórica , Arildialquilfosfatasa/sangre , HDL-Colesterol/sangre , Proteínas de Transferencia de Ésteres de Colesterol/sangre , Pérdida de Peso , Anciano , Adulto , Dieta Saludable , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Insulina/sangre , Ayuno Intermitente

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BACKGROUND: South Asian Americans bear a high burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but little is known about the sustainability of evidence-based interventions (EBI) to prevent ASCVD in this population. Using community-based participatory research, we previously developed and implemented the South Asian Healthy Lifestyle Intervention (SAHELI), a culturally-adapted EBI targeting diet, physical activity, and stress management. In this study, we use the Integrated Sustainability Framework to investigate multisectoral partners' perceptions of organizational factors influencing SAHELI sustainability and strategies for ensuring sustainability. METHODS: From 2022 to 2023, we conducted a mixed-methods study (quant- > QUAL) with 17 SAHELI partners in the Chicago area. Partners' settings included: community organization, school district, public health department, and healthcare system. Descriptive statistics summarized quantitative results. Two coders used a hybrid thematic analysis approach to identify qualitative themes. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated and analyzed using mixed methods. RESULTS: Surveys (score range 1-5: higher scores indicate facilitators; lower scores indicate barriers) indicated SAHELI sustainability facilitators to be its "responsiveness to community values and needs" (mean = 4.9). Barriers were "financial support" (mean = 3.5), "infrastructure/capacity to support sustainment" (mean = 4.2), and "implementation leadership" (mean = 4.3). Qualitative findings confirmed quantitative findings that SAHELI provided culturally-tailored cardiovascular health education responsive to the needs of the South Asian American community, increased attention to health issues, and transformed perceptions of research among community members. Qualitative findings expanded upon quantitative findings, showing that the organizational fit of SAHELI was a facilitator to sustainability while competing priorities were barriers for partners from the public health department and health system. Partners from the public health department and health system discussed challenges in offering culturally-tailored programming exclusively for one targeted population. Sustainability strategies envisioned by partners included: transitioning SAHELI to a program delivered by community members; integrating components of SAHELI into other programs; and expanding SAHELI to other populations. Modifications made to SAHELI (i.e., virtual instead of in-person delivery) had both positive and negative implications for sustainability. DISCUSSION: This study identifies common sustainability barriers and facilitators across different sectors, as well as those specific to certain settings. Aligning health equity interventions with community needs and values, organizational activities, and local context and resources is critical for sustainability. Challenges also arise from balancing the needs of specific populations against providing programming for broader audiences.

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BACKGROUND: We studied whether increased systolic blood pressure (SBP), as determined by auscultatory SBP, ambulatory SBP, and the number of cardiovascular health risk indicators, are associated with neurocognition in adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 365 adolescents (mean age, 15.5 years) from 6 academic medical centers in the United States. The sample was 59.5% male, 52.6% White, with 23.9% of the caregivers having less than or equal to a high school degree. Primary exposures included the following: auscultatory SBP, ambulatory SBP, and the number of cardiovascular risk factors. Neurocognitive outcomes comprised nonverbal IQ, attention, and parent ratings of executive functions. RESULTS: After examining the models for the effects of targeted covariates (eg, maternal education), higher auscultatory SBP was associated with lower nonverbal IQ (ß=-1.39; P<0.001) and verbal attention (ß=-2.39; P<0.05); higher ambulatory 24 hours. SBP (ß=-21.39; P<0.05) and wake SBP (ß=-21.62; P<0.05) were related to verbal attention; and all 3 ambulatory blood pressure measures were related to sustained attention accounting for small to medium amounts of variance (adjusted R2=0.08-0.09). Higher ambulatory blood pressure sleep SBP also was significantly associated with parent ratings of behavior regulation (ß=12.61; P<0.05). These associations remained stable after a sensitivity analysis removed cases with hypertension. Number of cardiovascular risk factors performed similarly, with more risk factors being associated with lower nonverbal IQ (ß=-1.35; P<0.01), verbal attention (ß=-1.23; P<0.01), and all parent ratings of executive functions. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated SBP, even below the hypertension range, and general cardiovascular health are associated with neurocognitive outcomes in adolescents. How these findings might guide clinical care is worthy of additional study.

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BACKGROUND: Population-based studies of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are scarce. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2007-2018 National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey women aged ≥ 20 years, who had data on Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics and self-reported GDM history. Each LS7 metric was assigned a score of 0 (non-ideal) and 1(ideal) and summed to obtain total ideal CVH scores (0-7). We used logistic regression models to assess associations between LS7 ideal CVH scores (0-7) and GDM history, accounting for socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: Among 9,199 women (mean age: 46 years, 8 % with a GDM history), there was a progressive decrease in the odds of past GDM history across increasing ideal CVH scores. Compared to females with 0-1 ideal CVH scores, females with ideal CVH scores of 3, 4 and 5-7 had an associated 39 % lower [odds ratio: 0.61 (95 % CI: 0.41-0.90)], 50 % lower [0.50 (0.33-0.76)] and 66 % lower [0.34 (0.20-0.56)] odds of past GDM history, respectively. There were notable racial/ethnic and citizenship/nativity differences in these associations. CONCLUSIONS: Women with higher ideal CVH scores had lower odds of GDM history. Our findings underscore the importance of optimizing cardiometabolic health among women with GDM history.

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Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Recent research has identified gut dysbiosis - an imbalance in the gut microbiota - as a significant factor in the development of CVDs. This complex relationship between gut microbiota and cardiovascular health involves various mechanisms, including the production of metabolites such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These metabolites influence lipid metabolism, inflammation, and blood pressure regulation. In addition, the gut-brain axis and neurohormonal pathways play crucial roles in cardiovascular function. Epidemiological studies have linked gut dysbiosis to various cardiovascular conditions, highlighting the potential for therapeutic interventions. Dietary changes, probiotics, and prebiotics have shown promise in modulating gut microbiota and reducing cardiovascular risk factors. This underscores the critical role of gut health in preventing and treating CVDs. However, further research is needed to develop targeted therapies that can enhance cardiovascular outcomes.

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BACKGROUND: Dementia poses considerable challenges to healthy aging. Prevention and management of dementia are essential given the lack of effective treatments for this condition. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 928 InCHIANTI study participants (55% female) aged 65 years and older without dementia at baseline. Cardiovascular health (CVH) was assessed by the "Life's Essential 8" (LE8) metric that included health behaviors (diet, physical activity, smoking status, sleep duration) and health factors (body mass index, blood lipid, blood glucose, blood pressure). This new LE8 metric scores from 0 to 100, with categorization including "low LE8" (0-49), indicating low CVH, "moderate LE8 (50-79)", indicating moderate CVH, and "high LE8 (80-100)", indicating high CVH. Dementia was ascertained by a combination of neuropsychological testing and clinical assessment at each follow-up visit. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between CVH at baseline and risk of incident dementia after a median follow-up of 14 years. RESULTS: Better CVH (moderate/high LE8 vs. low LE8) was inversely associated with the risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.83, p = 0.001). Compared with health factors, higher scores of the health behaviors (per 1 standard deviation [SD]), specifically weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time (per 1 SD), were significantly associated with a lower risk of incident dementia (health behaviors: HR:0.84, CI:0.73-0.96, p = 0.01; physical activity: HR: 0.62, CI: 0.53-0.72, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: While longitudinal studies with repeated measures of CVH are needed to confirm these findings, improving CVH, measured by the LE8 metric, may be a promising dementia prevention strategy.