A recent study has found a strong correlation between higher Life’s Simple 7 scores for cardiovascular health and lower biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, indicate that maintaining good cardiovascular health is linked to decreased neurodegenerative disease-related biomarkers. This further strengthens the known connection between cardiovascular disease and conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) introduced Life’s Simple 7, a guideline identifying seven modifiable lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including smoking habits, diet, and body mass index (BMI).
Previous studies have shown that adherence to Life’s Simple 7 reduces the risk of conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
More recently, researchers discovered that elderly individuals with higher Life’s Simple 7 scores also exhibited lower levels of biomarkers related to neurodegenerative diseases. They further suggested that raising awareness about cardiovascular health among Black and African American populations, who face higher risks for both heart disease and dementia, could be particularly beneficial.
The research team emphasized that Life’s Simple 7 is a well-established tool for improving cardiovascular health and reducing the risks of heart disease and stroke. Since cardiovascular disease and dementia share common risk factors, the study aimed to examine how Life’s Simple 7 influences neurodegeneration.
The study recruited approximately 1,000 elderly participants aged 65 and older from the Chicago Health and Aging Project. More than half of the participants were Black or African American.
Each participant was assessed based on Life’s Simple 7 criteria, which include a healthy diet, regular exercise, a normal BMI, non-smoking status, and no history of dyslipidemia, diabetes, or hypertension.
Participants were then grouped into three categories based on their cardiovascular health (CVH) scores: those with 0–6 points were classified as the low CVH group, those with 7–9 points as the moderate CVH group, and those with 10–14 points as the high CVH group.
Analysis revealed that participants in the high CVH group had significantly lower blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a key biomarker for neurodegeneration. Additionally, the rate of increase in NfL levels with age was slower among those with higher CVH scores.
NfL is a protein that helps maintain strong and healthy nerve cells. When nerve cells are damaged, NfL leaks into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid, making it a reliable marker for brain health. High NfL levels indicate neuronal damage and can provide insights into the potential link between cardiovascular health and neurodegeneration.
The researchers emphasized that managing cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for preventing neurodegenerative diseases and reducing their societal burden.
The study also noted that participants with the highest CVH scores were predominantly white. Based on this, researchers suggested that educating elderly individuals—mainly Black and African American populations—on cardiovascular health could help mitigate the social burden of neurodegenerative diseases.
The research team plans to observe additional biomarkers directly related to brain pathology to explore the connection between cardiovascular health and neurodegeneration. They also aim to evaluate whether dietary improvements and increased physical activity can effectively reduce neurodegenerative biomarkers.
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