Abstract 18122: Ideal Cardiovascular Health Score & Vascular Function

Introduction: Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion is effective for cardiovascular disease prevention. Whether lifestyle intervention-induced changes in cardiovascular risk factors change vascular function (VF) is unknown. Hypothesis: Improvement in CVH score is correlated with changes in VF. Methods: A total of 705 employees (48±11 years, 66% women, 22.5% Black) were enrolled in Emory Predictive health Institute where they collaborated with a Health Partner to generate a personalized plan focused on achieving ideal CVH metrics. Anthropometric, laboratory and VF measurements were performed and CVH score was calculated at baseline, 6 months, 1-year and 2-years of follow-up. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), radial tonometry-derived central augmentation index (AIX) and sub-endocardial viability ratio (SEVR). Flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial arteries (FMD) was used to measure endothelial function. Microvascular function was assessed as digital reactive hyperemia index (RHI). Participants were further categorized into “healthy” and “unhealthy” groups using the median value of each VF test at baseline. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the correlation between the changes in the CVH score and changes in VF tests during a 2 years follow-up period. Results: At baseline, there was a significant correlation between the CVH score and PWV, SEVR and FMD. Only changes in SEVR were correlated with overall changes of CVH score over 2 years. Subjects were then divided into 2 groups based on the median value of each VF test. Among those with Conclusion: Improvement in CVH score using lifestyle intervention was associated with an early and sustained improvement in arterial stiffness, endothelial and microvascular functions in those with baseline abnormalities. Whether this impact improves morbidity and mortality needs further research.