Cumulative Cardiovascular Health Score Through Young Adulthood and Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes in Midlife
Authors' conclusion
These findings suggest that a higher cumulative CVH score from 30 to 40 years of age was associated with markedly lower risks of CVD and kidney events in midlife
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 40 years without prior cardiovascular disease (CVD) or CKD, with ≥3 examination visits from age 30 to 40 years, Koreaall aged 40 years
- Participants
- 241,924 adults
- Exposure
- Highest vs lowest quintile of 10-year cumulative cardiovascular health (CVH) score
- Outcome
- CVD events (MI, ischemic stroke, HF or CV death) and kidney events (incident CKD, kidney replacement therapy or kidney-related death)
- Follow-up
- Median 9.2 years (IQR, 8.4-10.1)
Methodological detailsKorean National Health Insurance health screening and claims data, Data analysed May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025
- Korean National Health Insurance health screening and claims data
- Data analysed May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CVD events and kidney events in midlife
Q5
- CVD incidence
- 0.05% per year
- Kidney event incidence
- 0.05% per year
Q5
CVD incidence0.05% per year
Kidney event incidence0.05% per year
Q5 vs Q1Adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI)
CVD events
0.27(0.22–0.32)
Kidney events
0.25(0.21–0.31)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Per 100-point × year higher cumulative CVH
- Lower hazard of CVD events
- 34%
- Lower hazard of kidney events
- 35%
By sex, event subtypes, and after adjustment for CVH score at 40 y or slope of CVH change
- Associations similar by sex and for event subtypes; remained significant after adjustment for CVH score at 40 y or slope of CVH change
Original publication
Cumulative Cardiovascular Health Score Through Young Adulthood and Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes in Midlife. JAMA Cardiol. Published 1 November 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it