Changes in Cardiovascular Health at Midlife and Subsequent Cardiovascular Outcomes in Individuals With Diabetes

Background: Whether improvements in cardiovascular health (CVH) in midlife mitigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with diabetes remains underexplored. Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between changes in CVH during midlife and subsequent risks of CVD events and all-cause mortality among individuals with and without diabetes. Methods: The study utilized data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. CVH data were collected during visits 1 and 3 and the median follow-up was 23 years. CVH was based on ideal Life's Simple 7 metrics and categorized as low (0-2 metrics), moderate (3 or 4 metrics), and favorable CVH (5-7 metrics). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the association between changes in CVH and CVD outcomes. Results: Among the final sample (N = 8,741), 806 had diabetes (9.2%). Of those with diabetes, 62.3% had low CVH at both visits, 12.0% maintained moderate CVH, 15.0% showed improvement, and 10.3% experienced a decline in CVH. Only 0.4% maintained favorable CVH. Those with improved CVH had lower CVD event risks (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50-0.93), as did those who maintained moderate CVH (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.50-0.94) or shifted from moderate to low CVH (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.41-0.88). Similar patterns were observed for all-cause mortality. In comparison to participants without diabetes who maintained a favorable CVH trajectory at midlife, those with diabetes consistently displayed higher risks of CVD events and mortality, regardless of their CVH trajectory. Conclusions: For patients with diabetes, achieving or maintaining ideal CVH levels at midlife may help improve outcome; however, CVD risk is not completely mitigated by favorable CVH trajectories.