Achieving Optimal Cardiovascular Health: A Way to Help Prevent Cancer?

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Oluseye Ogunmoroti, Emory University; Olatokunbo Osibogun, Florida International University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-02-21
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 The Authors
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccao.2023.01.005
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JACC: CardioOncology
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 53
• End Page: 54
• Keywords: hyperlipidemia; tobacco; epidemiology; Life's Essential 8; breast cancer; colorectal cancer; prevention; cardiovascular health; hypertension; Life's Simple 7; lifestyle risk factors; diabetes; prostate cancer
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

The construct of cardiovascular health (CVH) was introduced by the American Heart Association in 2010 as a global strategy to promote CVH and to prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke.1 The Life’s Simple 7 metrics, which include health behaviors and factors, have been used to measure and monitor ideal CVH, defined as the presence of ideal health behaviors (nonsmoking, body mass index <25 kg/m2, physical activity at goal levels, and pursuit of a diet consistent with current guideline recommendations) and ideal health factors (untreated total cholesterol <200 mg/dL, untreated blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg, and fasting blood glucose <100 mg/dL).1 Research studies have unequivocally shown that attaining ideal or optimal CVH is associated with a lower incidence of CVD and stroke.2 In addition, a more favorable CVH profile is associated with a lower incidence of noncardiovascular diseases such as cancer.3,4 This is not surprising, as CVD and cancer have shared risk factors and similar biological pathways. Therefore, preventing the onset of CVD risk factors would help curtail the rising burden of cancer.