Health characteristics and predicted 10-year risk for a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event using the Pooled Cohort Risk Equations among US adults who are free of cardiovascular disease

- This study examines the effect of multiple health characteristics future CVD risk.
- A national sample of Americans was employed.
- More positive health characteristics were associated with a reduced odds of CVD risk.

BackgroundNo study has used the recently developed Pooled Cohort Equations to examine the associations of various health behaviors and health characteristics on 10-year risk of a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event.MethodsData from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. 10-year risk of a first ASCVD event was assessed from the Pooled Cohort Equations. Physical activity was assessed via accelerometry; weight status was assessed via measured body mass index; smoking was assessed via cotinine levels; and dietary behavior was calculated from the healthy eating index.ResultsAfter adjustments, and compared to those with 0 positive health characteristics, those with 1, 2, 3, and 4 health characteristics, respectively, had a 87% (OR = 0.13, p < 0.001), 95% (OR = 0.05, p < 0.001), 95% (OR = 0.05, p < 0.001), and 96% (OR = 0.04, p = 0.001) reduced odds of being at an elevated risk for a first ASCVD event in the next 10 years.ConclusionsA dose-response association was observed between number of positive health characteristics and the 10-year risk of a first ASCVD event.