A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on May 24, 2026, found that adults with higher cardiovascular health scores, as measured by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 metrics, had a significantly lower risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection, including hospitalization and death.
Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 participants in the UK Biobank, tracking COVID-19 outcomes between March 2020 and early 2022. Life's Essential 8 includes diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Each component is scored from 0 to 100, with a composite score ranging from 0 to 100.
Participants with the highest cardiovascular health scores (80 or above) had a 78% lower risk of hospitalization and an 85% lower risk of death from COVID-19 compared to those with the lowest scores (below 50). The association held even after adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic factors.
Dr. Nour Makarem, the lead author from Columbia University, stated: 'These findings underscore the importance of maintaining optimal cardiovascular health not only for heart disease prevention but also for resilience against severe infections like COVID-19.' The study adds to evidence that lifestyle factors can influence infectious disease outcomes.
