Life's Simple 7, a framework introduced by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2010, is gaining attention for its potential role in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This roadmap comprises seven modifiable lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular health, including smoking, diet, and body mass index (BMI). Recent studies reveal that adhering to Life's Simple 7 not only promotes cardiovascular health but may also lower biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
The seven risk factors outlined in Life's Simple 7 are designed to be modifiable, meaning individuals can alter these elements to improve their cardiovascular health. The AHA's initiative emphasizes the importance of these lifestyle changes in preventing heart disease while highlighting their broader impact on overall health. A recent study strengthens the link between improved cardiovascular health and a decrease in biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases in older adults.
Researchers have found that higher scores in Life's Simple 7 correlate with reduced serum levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a biomarker indicative of neurodegeneration. Participants with the highest adherence to these guidelines showed significantly lower NfL levels, suggesting a slower annual increase in these biomarkers as they age. This finding suggests that improving cardiovascular health could effectively mitigate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
“This study reaffirms the importance of following the American Heart Association’s Simple 7 guidelines to help control cardiovascular risk factors,” said Cheng-Han Chen, MD.
The American Heart Association recognizes the need for increased education on heart disease within Black and African American communities. Given the higher rates of cardiovascular disease in these populations, promoting Life's Simple 7 may prove particularly beneficial. The framework provides a structured approach to improving heart health while potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
“Improving cardiovascular health in older adults may help reduce the impact of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in Black adults, who experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease. These findings emphasize the need for greater awareness and access to cardiovascular health resources in communities with largely Black individuals,” stated Anisa Dhana, MD, MSc.
The study also suggests that future research could explore additional biomarkers directly related to brain pathology, such as amyloid-beta, to further understand the connection between cardiovascular health and neurodegeneration.
“We plan to further explore the link between cardiovascular health and neurodegeneration by examining additional biomarkers directly related to brain pathology, such as amyloid-beta. Future research may evaluate the success of interventions (e.g., diet and physical activity interventions) in reducing biomarkers of neurodegeneration levels, such as NfL,” explained Anisa Dhana, MD, MSc.
This growing body of evidence suggests that traditional views separating genetic factors from lifestyle-related illnesses like stroke and heart attack are evolving. The overlap between cardiovascular risk factors and diseases like Alzheimer's is becoming increasingly clear.
“We used to think that neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia illnesses were genetic-based, and then there are other diseases like stroke and heart attack, which are more related to cardiovascular risk factors,” noted Jason Tarpley, MD, PhD.
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