Living a Healthy Lifestyle is Associated with Slower Epigenetic Aging and Improved Cardiac Health

A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Tufts University in Boston has revealed the powerful impact of heart-healthy behaviors on reducing cell aging and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlights the importance of lifestyle factors in promoting overall health and longevity.

The research team, led by Jiantao Ma, created a scoring system called the “Life Essential 8” (LE8) tool to measure lifestyle factors related to heart health. The tool evaluates factors such as diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, body mass index, blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure. Participants in the study were scored based on these factors, with higher scores indicating a healthier lifestyle.

The study included 5682 participants from the Framingham Heart Study, a long-term cardiovascular study. The researchers also calculated epigenetic age scores for the participants using DNA methylation based biomarkers. Epigenetic age is a measure of biological age, which can be influenced by lifestyle factors and genetic predispositions.

The results of the study were striking. A one standard deviation increase in the LE8 score was associated with a 35 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease events over an 11-14 year follow-up period. Additionally, deaths related to cardiovascular disease were reduced by 36 percent, and all-cause mortality was reduced by 29 percent.

The impact of heart-healthy behaviors on epigenetic aging was particularly significant in participants with genetic markers of premature aging. The researchers found that a higher LE8 score had a greater positive impact on participants at higher risk for increased epigenetic age. This suggests that lifestyle changes can have a profound effect on biological aging and overall health outcomes.

Randi Foraker, a professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, emphasized the importance of the study’s findings. She noted that DNA methylation may serve as a mediator between risk factors and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the complex interplay between genetics, lifestyle, and health outcomes.

Overall, the researchers estimated that epigenetic factors accounted for 20 percent of the variation in cardiovascular outcomes, with a higher impact in those at higher genetic risk for increased epigenetic age. This underscores the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors and promoting heart-healthy behaviors to prevent cardiovascular disease and promote healthy aging.

The study’s findings have important implications for public health and preventive medicine. By emphasizing the role of lifestyle factors in biological aging and disease risk, researchers hope to empower individuals to make positive changes to improve their overall health and well-being. The study serves as a reminder of the profound impact that simple lifestyle changes can have on long-term health outcomes and underscores the importance of prioritizing heart health in disease prevention efforts.