The association between cardiovascular health and health-related quality of life and health status measures among U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2001–2010

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine the association between ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) and health-related quality of life and health status indicators. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included adult NHANES participants from 2001 to 2010 without CVD (N = 7115). CVH was defined according to AHA definitions with poor, intermediate and ideal levels of the seven factors (diet, BMI, physical activity, smoking, blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol) assigned scores of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. A CVH score (CVHS) was calculated as the sum of the scores from each individual health factor (range 0–14; higher score indicating greater CVH). CVHS was categorized as poor (0–7), intermediate (8–10), and ideal (11–14). Linear regression models examined the association between CVHS category with health status and number of unhealthy days per month, adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics and disability. RESULTS: Among US adults 20–79 years, 14, 46 and 40 % had ideal, intermediate and poor CVHS, respectively. Compared to those with poor CVH, individuals in intermediate and ideal CVH were 44 and 71 % less likely to report being in fair/poor health. Participants with ideal CVH scores reported a mean of 2.4 fewer unhealthy days over the past month, including one less day in which their physical health was not good and two fewer days in which their mental health was not good. CONCLUSIONS: Ideal CVH is associated with greater overall health status and fewer physically and mentally unhealthy days. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12955-015-0352-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.