Your neighborhood in your 20s may shape your heart decades later
Where you live in early adulthood may quietly shape your heart health for decades. Researchers found that adverse neighborhood conditions were linked to a higher risk of coronary artery calcification in midlife, an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.
A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that early adulthood neighborhood conditions may impact heart health decades later. Northwestern Medicine researchers analyzed data from the CARDIA study and developed a new index to measure several neighborhood social determinants of health simultaneously. They found that individuals exposed to more unfavorable neighborhood social conditions during their young adult years had a greater likelihood of developing coronary artery calcification (CAC), an indicator of early cardiovascular disease, by middle age.
The association was particularly strong among Black participants compared to white participants. This research highlights the importance of considering neighborhood context alongside individual lifestyle factors when assessing cardiovascular health and risk.
Written by urgent.news from ScienceDaily Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Your neighborhood in your 20s may shape your heart decades later sciencedaily.com
