Cardiometabolic & kidneyCohort study

Cumulative Cardiovascular Health Score Through Young Adulthood and Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes in Midlife

JAMA CardiolPublished

  • Population-based cohort study
  • Korean National Health Insurance health screening and claims data
  • Data analysed May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025

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)

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

CVD events and kidney events in midlife

Q5

0.05% per year

CVD incidence · Kidney event incidence 0.05% 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:10.1001/jamacardio.2025.3269

Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it