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Fewer cardiovascular risk factors linked to lower death risk

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Cholesterol testing should play an important role in individual's overall wellness strategy. A new study suggests that unhealthy cholesterol, as well as other cardiovascular metrics, may be linked a greater risk of early death.

The American Heart Association recently issued a set of guidelines indicating that individuals should seek to improve their health in seven areas of cardiovascular well-being, which include exercise, eating habits, tobacco use, weight management, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined data collected from nearly 45,000 adults over the course of 22 years. The results showed that only 1.2 percent of individuals had good health in all seven measures in 2010. That was down from 2 percent in 1988.

Furthermore, those who had poor health in six indicators were 51 percent more likely to die from any cause during the study and 76 percent more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, compared to those who only had one cardiovascular risk factor.

The researchers said the findings show that the American Heart Association recommendations are worthwhile and improving in these seven areas could lead to major gains in individuals' health.