Cardiometabolic Health

Cardiometabolic health involves the study of factors that influence the heart and blood vessels and are linked to cardiovascular disease. These disorders are the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and are one of the largest health care costs. In the field of cardiometabolic health, investigators collaborate with leading health professionals to identify and treat the causes of disease.

Cardiometabolic health is measured by the levels of blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight. It is important to have an ideal level of these factors to avoid heart problems and other conditions. In the United States, less than one in 15 adults are in optimal cardiometabolic health. Experts recommend a healthier diet and a more active lifestyle to improve cardiometabolic health and lower the risk of developing heart disease.

In addition, adults with low education levels are more likely to have poor cardiometabolic health, and the percentage of adults with optimal health declined among non-Hispanic Blacks and other races. These trends may reflect social determinants of health. While it won’t be easy to reverse these trends, we can take a few simple steps to improve our cardiometabolic health. If you’re not sure where to begin, speak with your physician to get started.

Consuming green leafy vegetables is beneficial for many conditions, but is particularly important for cardiometabolic health. These vegetables are an excellent source of nitrates, which help open up blood vessels. Spinach is especially high in nitrates. In fact, eating just one serving of spinach a day can increase nitric oxide levels by 50 percent. Other high-nitrate vegetables include celery, celeriac, and Chinese cabbage.

Among cardiometabolic risk factors, obesity is one of the top causes of heart disease. Other risk factors include high blood pressure and insulin resistance. Managing these factors early in life can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and prevent its progression. Diabetic people are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease as non-diabetics.

Physical activity is an important factor in cardiometabolic health. It can improve blood pressure and decrease albuminuria. A study that examined adolescents with type 2 diabetes found that those who participate in vigorous physical activity had improved cardiometabolic health outcomes. These improvements are supported by clinical practice guidelines. This research indicates that exercise is an effective way to improve the quality of life and prevent cardiovascular disease.

The study’s results suggest that exercise and diet play an important role in maintaining cardiometabolic health. According to researchers, participants who meet the guidelines of physical activity and sleep duration were more likely to have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and high waist circumference. Insufficient physical activity may also be contributing to poor sleep.