Key Determinants of Vascular and Heart Age

Key Determinants of Vascular and Heart Age

Vascular age (VA) and heart age (HA) are critical indicators of an individual’s cardiovascular health, providing insights beyond chronological age. These metrics help assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), enabling targeted interventions to improve health outcomes. Recent studies have highlighted various determinants affecting VA and HA, including sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and underlying health conditions.

Age and Gender

Age is one of the most significant predictors of both VA and HA. A study revealed that older individuals exhibit a higher VA compared to younger populations, with odds ratios indicating a dramatic increase in risk as age advances (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025). For instance, individuals aged 60-69 had an odds ratio of 34.48 for high VA, underscoring the critical role of age in cardiovascular risk (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Gender disparities also manifest in VA and HA. Research indicates that men typically present with a higher VA than women, attributed to differing lifestyle factors and biological influences. For example, men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, which can exacerbate vascular aging (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Socioeconomic Status

Socioeconomic status (SES) is another essential determinant of VA and HA. Lower SES correlates with increased cardiovascular risks due to limited access to healthcare, poor diet, and reduced opportunities for physical activity. A significant finding from the cohort study indicated that individuals from lower social classes exhibited higher VA and HA values, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Lifestyle Habits

Lifestyle choices play a pivotal role in determining VA and HA. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, has been associated with lower VA and HA. Conversely, smoking, sedentary behavior, and high alcohol intake correlate with elevated vascular aging metrics (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Role of Socioeconomic Status on Cardiovascular Health

Socioeconomic status significantly impacts cardiovascular health, influencing access to healthcare, health literacy, and health outcomes. Individuals with lower SES often experience higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes.

Health Inequalities

Health inequalities related to SES manifest in various ways. For instance, lower-income individuals may face barriers to accessing preventive care and healthy foods, leading to an increased prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Such factors directly contribute to an elevated VA and HA, highlighting the need for public health interventions aimed at improving health equity (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Workplace Interventions

Workplace health promotion programs can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of low SES on cardiovascular health. By implementing measures that encourage healthy habits, such as physical activity and nutritious eating, employers can play a crucial role in improving the cardiovascular health of their workforce (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Influence of Lifestyle Habits on Heart Age and Vascular Age

Lifestyle habits are among the most modifiable risk factors impacting VA and HA. The relationship between these habits and cardiovascular health has been extensively studied, yielding valuable insights into effective intervention strategies.

Diet

Adhering to a Mediterranean diet has been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. This dietary pattern emphasizes the consumption of antioxidants, which may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation—key contributors to vascular aging. A study indicated that individuals with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet experienced a significantly lower VA compared to those with poor dietary patterns (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is vital in maintaining cardiovascular health. Engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise can significantly lower VA and HA, as it promotes endothelial function, reduces arterial stiffness, and enhances overall heart health. Studies have shown that individuals who meet physical activity guidelines exhibit lower levels of arterial stiffness and inflammation, contributing to a healthier vascular profile (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption presents a complex relationship with cardiovascular health. Moderate alcohol intake, particularly from red wine, has been linked to improved VA due to the presence of beneficial compounds such as resveratrol. However, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, emphasizing the importance of moderation in alcohol intake (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Gender Disparities in Cardiovascular Risk and Treatment

Gender differences significantly influence the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of cardiovascular diseases. Research has consistently shown that women often receive suboptimal treatment compared to men, despite having similar or even higher risks for certain cardiovascular events.

Treatment Inequities

Studies indicate that women are less likely to receive guideline-recommended treatments for coronary heart disease. This disparity may stem from gender biases in clinical practice, where cardiovascular diseases are often perceived as predominantly male issues, leading to under-treatment of female patients (Knox et al., 2025).

Outcomes and Mortality

The mortality rates following cardiovascular events are notably higher in women compared to men. This phenomenon is attributed to several factors, including differences in disease presentation, comorbidities, and access to timely care. Women tend to experience more severe symptoms and complications following events such as myocardial infarctions, necessitating a more nuanced approach to treatment and follow-up care (Knox et al., 2025).

Effective Strategies for Reducing Vascular and Heart Age

To effectively reduce VA and HA, a multifaceted approach is required, targeting lifestyle modifications, public health initiatives, and healthcare practices.

Public Health Initiatives

Public health campaigns aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles can significantly impact cardiovascular health. These initiatives should focus on increasing awareness of the importance of diet and exercise, particularly in populations at risk due to socioeconomic factors (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Workplace Health Programs

Employers can implement wellness programs that encourage physical activity, provide access to nutritious foods, and offer health screenings. Such programs can significantly improve employee health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance productivity (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Personalizing Interventions

Tailoring interventions to individual needs and circumstances is essential for maximizing their effectiveness. This includes considering factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status when designing health promotion strategies to ensure they are accessible and relevant to the target population (Montero Muñoz et al., 2025).

Conclusion

The assessment of VA and HA provides invaluable insights into cardiovascular health, with various determinants influencing these metrics. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle habits all play significant roles in shaping vascular and heart health outcomes. By implementing targeted interventions and promoting healthier lifestyle choices, it is possible to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases and improve overall health outcomes.

FAQ

What is vascular age (VA)? Vascular age is a measure that reflects the condition of an individual’s blood vessels compared to the average arterial condition of someone of the same chronological age. A higher VA indicates greater cardiovascular risk.

How does heart age (HA) differ from vascular age? Heart age assesses the health of the heart itself, considering various risk factors and conditions that affect heart function, while VA focuses specifically on the vascular system’s condition.

What lifestyle changes can help lower VA and HA? Adopting a Mediterranean diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and moderating alcohol consumption can significantly lower both VA and H Are there gender disparities in cardiovascular health? Yes, studies have shown that women often receive less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular diseases compared to men, even when they present similar or higher risks.

What role does socioeconomic status play in cardiovascular health? Lower socioeconomic status is associated with increased cardiovascular risk due to factors like limited access to healthcare, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and higher rates of comorbid conditions.

References

1. Montero Muñoz, N., Tárraga López, P. J., López-González, A. A., Paublini, H., & Ramírez-Manent, J. I. (2025). Association Between Mediterranean Diet and Other Healthy Habits and Sociodemographic Variables with the Values of Vascular and Heart Age in Spanish Workers. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17050903

2. Knox, E. C. L., Mateo-Rodríguez, I., Daponte-Codina, A., Rosell-Ortiz, F., Solá-Muñoz, S., Codina-Rodríguez, A., Bueno, H., Ruiz-Azpiazu, J. I. (2025). Gender Differences in Clinical Practice Regarding Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14051583