Quality of life and associations with health-related behaviours among older adults with increased cardiovascular risk

Background and aims: A better understanding of the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors and quality of life (QoL) in older age is needed to inform development of risk reduction strategies. This cross-sectional study investigated the association of QoL with health-related behaviours in older adults at risk of heart failure. Methods and results: Older adults (N = 328) at risk of heart failure residing in Melbourne, Australia, provided data on QoL and health-related behaviours including physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption. Multiple linear regression modelling was used to examine associations between health-related behaviours, QoL and its constituent domains. After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index and comorbidities, current smoking was found to have a negative association with the mental component score (MCS) of QoL (beta = -0.174, p <= 0.01), with a positive association seen between MCS and physical activity (beta = 0.130, p = 0.01). Current alcohol use had a positive association with the physical component score (PCS) (beta = 0.120, p = 0.02) and saturated fat intake consumption had a negative association with the physical functioning domain of QoL (beta = -0.105, p = 0.03) but was not associated with either PCS or MCS. Conclusion: Engagement of older adults at increased cardiovascular risk with behavioural risk factor modification using QoL as a driver of change may offer new opportunities to promote healthy ageing. Development of such strategies should consider that for some behaviours which are cardiovascular risk factors (alcohol intake, in particular), the positive association to QoL is complicated and needs further deliberation. (C) 2022 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This cross-sectional study examined the association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and quality of life in older adults. The study found that smoking was negatively associated with mental component score of quality of life, while physical activity was positively associated with mental component score. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with physical component score, and saturated fat intake showed a negative association with the physical functioning domain of quality of life.