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Temporal Trends in Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Italy, 2015-2024: A Ten-Year Report from the Longevity Check-Up
Stefano Cacciatore1,2, Elena Levati1,2, Riccardo Calvani1
1Department of Geriatrics, Orthopedics and Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Background/Objectives:
The objective of this ten-year report is to describe temporal trends in the cardiovascular health (CVH) score and its individual components across ages and sexes. We also examined the impact of the post-COVID-19 period on ideal CVH and identified demographic predictors of favorable cardiovascular risk profiles.
Methods:
Data for this cross-sectional study were collected between 2015 and 2024 as part of the Lookup 8+ project, an ongoing initiative integrating field-based CVH assessments across Italy. CVH was operationalized using a modified CVH score (0-7 points) inspired by Life's Simple 7, combining behavioral and clinical metrics. Trends over time and across demographic groups were examined using descriptive statistics and multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, and year of assessment.
Results:
The study included 18,491 participants (mean age 56.1 ± 14.8 years; 55.2% women). After an initial decline in CVH score between 2015 and 2017 (mean score from 4.39 to 3.95), a gradual improvement followed, reaching 4.41 in 2024. Younger adults (18-39 years; 71.9% in 2024) and women (56.8%) consistently showed the highest prevalence of ideal CVH (score ≥ 5). The post-COVID-19 period was independently associated with higher odds of ideal CVH (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.24-1.40). While blood pressure and cholesterol metrics improved, dietary quality and glycemic control worsened over time.
Conclusions:
From 2015 to 2024, overall CVH improved among Lookup participants, particularly among younger individuals after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, substantial age- and sex-related gaps remain, requiring targeted and equity-oriented prevention efforts.
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