Heart-healthy habits appear to benefit the entire body
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- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Habits that promote heart health are linked to benefits in nearly every organ system and improved function throughout the body, a new study finds. Researchers reviewed 483 studies published from January 2010 to January 2021 that focused on the heart-healthy habits the American Heart Association codified as Life’s Simple 7 (now updated to Life’s Essential 8).
Compared to people with low scores, those with higher scores were more likely to maintain their brain and lung function as well as their vision, hearing, teeth, and muscle strength as they aged. Those with higher scores also had lower rates of chronic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, diabetes, and kidney disease. Several studies also showed that ideal cardiovascular health translated into reduced rates of heart disease over time, as well as economic savings from lower health care costs. The study was published in the Aug. 5, 2025, issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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