title: Changes in cardiovascular health score and atherosclerosis progression in middle-aged and older persons in China: a cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a definition of 4 cardiovascular health behaviours and 3 health factors. On the basis of the 7 metrics, the cardiovascular health score (CHS) was used to estimate individual-level changes in cardiovascular health status. The aim of this study was to investigate whether changes in CHS (⊿CHS) at different time-points are associated with atherosclerosis progression in middle-aged and older persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  We defined 8 groups (≤-4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 and ≥ 3) according to ⊿CHS. The impact of ⊿CHS on the change of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (⊿baPWV) and atherosclerosis progression was analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 3951 individuals met the inclusion criteria (≥ 40 years old; no history of stroke, transient ischaemic attack or myocardial infarction) and had complete information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ⊿baPWV decreased gradually (126.46 ± 355.91, 78.4 ± 343.81, 69.6 ± 316.27, 49.59 ± 287.57, 57.07 ± 261.17, 40.45 ± 264.27, 37.45 ± 283.26 and 21.66 ± 264.17 cm/s, respectively) with increasing ⊿CHS (p for trend<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis suggested a negative relationship between these 2 variables, which persisted after adjustment for other risk factors. Each increase in CHS was associated with a reduced baPWV for 15.22 cm/s (B value -15.22, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ⊿CHS were negatively related to ⊿baPWV, which proved to be an independent predictor of the progression of atherosclerosis in middle-aged and older persons.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Kailuan study (ChiCTR-TNC-11001489).
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Jingsheng
authors: J
authors: Gao
authors: Department of Cardiology, Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Minghui
authors: M
authors: Bao
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Jihong
authors: J
authors: Shi
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Zhe
authors: Z
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Aijun
authors: A
authors: Xing
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Shasha
authors: S
authors: An
authors: Department of Cardiology, Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Cai
authors: Department of Cardiology, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors: Shouling
authors: S
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Cardiology, Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors: Xinchun
authors: X
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D001132:Arm; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002681:China; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D011674:Pulse; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: CARDIOLOGY