Cardiovascular Health Declines in Children Starting at ⁣Age 10

Updated June 07, 2025

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors,⁢ including high blood pressure and obesity, can begin in ⁢childhood. A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology identifies age 10 as the point when cardiovascular health (CVH) ⁢trajectories begin to decline, marking a key period for intervention.

The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 guidelines ⁣assess CVH using behavioral and health factors. These guidelines aim to ‍improve CVH assessment, but U.S. children’s cardiovascular health remains suboptimal. Only 2% of children aged 2-19 have optimal ⁣CVH scores.

Izzuddin Aris, Harvard Medical School assistant‍ professor, saeid that while better heart health in childhood is linked to⁤ lower risks of coronary ⁤issues later in life, the current state of cardiovascular health in U.S. children is less than ideal. He added that their ⁢study provides ⁣insight into the ⁤trajectory of cardiovascular health⁢ in early life, establishing a clear window of⁤ opportunity to improve the ‍health⁣ of the nation’s children now and into the future.

Researchers studied data from over⁣ 1,500 children in eastern Massachusetts, utilizing the Life’s Essential 8 ⁤construct. The study ‍assessed six CVH metrics in early childhood and up to eight from mid-childhood ⁤to‍ late adolescence.

The ⁣study ⁤found that CVH scores begin ⁢to decline around age 10 across all demographic groups,mainly due to changes in health behaviors. These changes may reflect social and developmental shifts affecting sleep and diet. Improving these⁤ behaviors between mid-childhood ⁤and early adolescence could optimize cardiovascular health.

The ‍researchers also⁢ observed differences in CVH trajectories based⁤ on maternal socioeconomic status ⁤and child race and ethnicity,‍ suggesting early influences of structural factors.

Aris said that their study highlights the potential early influence of structural‍ factors linked to socioeconomic status and race and⁢ ethnicity. He added that this, in addition to isolating the most vulnerable age for CVH loss, can help improve targeting of preventive efforts to high-risk children, as well as improve our understanding of ⁤the‍ early⁤ life drivers‍ of CVH loss.

What’s next

future research should focus on developing targeted interventions to improve health behaviors in children aged 10 and older,⁣ notably those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to prevent cardiovascular health decline and ‍reduce future⁢ disparities.