Links Between Heart Health and Risk of Developing Depression and Anxiety

Among 115,855 participants, higher cardiovascular health, as measured by the Life's Essential 8 score, is associated with a significantly lower risk of incident depression and anxiety.

• During a median follow-up of 12.4 years, 2.8% of participants developed depression and 3.5% developed anxiety.
• Participants with moderate cardiovascular health had a 37% lower risk of incident depression compared to those with low cardiovascular health.
• Participants with high cardiovascular health had a 52% lower risk of incident depression compared to those with low cardiovascular health.
• Moderate cardiovascular health was associated with an 19% lower risk of incident anxiety, while high cardiovascular health was associated with a 32% lower risk.
• A linear relationship exists where each 10-point increase in the Life's Essential 8 score is associated with a 17% reduction in the risk of depression and a 10% reduction in the risk of anxiety.

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