Scandinavian journal of primary health careNov 4, 2017

How women’s own health ratings relate to ideal heart health in working-age adults

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Updated Mar 31, 2026

Abstract

28.8% of female municipal employees reported ill health (poor/fair ).

A positive association exists between the number of metrics and good self-rated health.
Favorable health behaviors, including nonsmoking, normal body mass index, healthy diet, and physical activity, drive this positive relationship.
A linear decrease in the prevalence of 0-2 ideal cardiovascular health metrics correlates with poorer self-rated health.
Conversely, a linear increase in 5-7 ideal metrics is linked to better self-rated health.
Nonsmoking and normal weight are identified as the strongest indicators of good self-rated health in multivariate analysis.

Simplified

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between (SRH) and the American Heart Association's (AHA) concept of (CVH) among female municipal employees. Studies about the association are scarce, even though AHA recommends to use SRH status surveys in clinical practice and research settings of CVH.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2014.

SETTING: SRH was assessed with a one-item question and the data of seven ideal CVH measurements (nonsmoking, body mass index <25.0 kg/m, healthy diet, physical activity at goal, blood pressure <120/80 mmHg, cholesterol <5.18 mmol/l and glucose (HbA1c < 6.0%)) was gathered with a physical examination, laboratory tests, medical history and self-administrated questionnaires. 2

SUBJECTS: A total of 725 female subjects from 10 work units of the city of Pori, Finland.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SRH and ideal CVH.

RESULTS: Of the study subjects, 28.8% reported ill-health (poor/fair SRH). The sum of ideal CVH metrics was positively associated with good SRH driven by favorable health behaviors (nonsmoking, normal body mass index, healthy diet and physical activity). A linear decrease in the prevalence of 0-2 ideal CVH metrics, and a linear increase in 5-7 metrics was associated with better SRH. Nonsmoking and normal weight were the most potent indicators of good SRH in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: Most of the subjects with 0-3 of the seven CVH metrics at ideal level were dissatisfied with their health. Since unhealthy lifestyle factors accumulate mainly to people feeling ill-health, the value of SRH is worth recognizing especially in primary health care.

Key numbers

209 of 725

Prevalence of Poor/Fair

Subjects reporting poor or fair .

25.2%

Ideal Metrics Distribution

Percentage of subjects with 5–7 ideal metrics.

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How women’s own health ratings relate to ideal heart health in working-age adults

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