Association of cardiovascular health at old age with all-cause mortality: a prospective cohort study in China

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death worldwide, but there is a lack of data on whether cardiovascular health (CVH) is associated with elderly mortality in China. We investigated the relationship between the ideal CVH score of Chinese elderly and the all-cause mortality. METHODS: The Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study included a total of 4,499 participants aged 60 years and above. The CVH metric was calculated at baseline and had a score ranging from 0 to 12. The relationship of CVH metrics with all-cause mortality was investigated using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. The robustness of results was tested using subgroup and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: The median CVH score among participants was 8.00 (2.00), with only 8.0% scoring 11–12 points. 667 deaths were observed during an average follow-up time of 8.2 years. Participants with a CVH score of 11–12 had a decreased risk of all-cause mortality when compared to those with a CVH score of 0–4(HR = 0.584, 95% CI: 0.373–0.913). Participants had a 7.5% lower risk of all-cause death with each unit higher CVH score (HR = 0.925, 95%CI: 0.885–0.967) with a linearly decreasing trend (P (nonlinear) = 0.575). The relationships were greater in younger elderly people and stroke patients (P (interaction) = 0.011 and 0.037. respectively). The consistency of significant trends in sensitivity analysis shows the robustness of association (P (trend) < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among the Chinese elderly, there was a linear relationship between improving CVH scores and a lower risk of all-cause mortality. Because of the enormous benefits brought by one point, strategies are essential for improving cardiovascular health attainment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at China Clinical Trial Registration Center (ChiCTR2100049866). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-023-04093-9.