Longevity · Risk areas
Cardiovascular health and longevity
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, so heart and vessel health is central to longevity. Key risk factors and the blood tests used to assess them.
Written by LON6EVITY Editorial Team · Last updated
Why it is central
The WHO describes cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death globally. Because they develop over decades, risk factors measured in midlife are relevant to health in later life.
Main risk factors
The WHO names unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol as the most important behavioural risk factors. Their effects may show up as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids and overweight.
What can be measured
Blood pressure, a lipid panel (including LDL cholesterol), ApoB, Lp(a) and HbA1c are common measurements. They are best interpreted together, by a clinician, as part of an overall risk estimate.
Factors that can affect the result
- Blood pressure
- LDL and ApoB
- Lp(a)
- Blood glucose
- Smoking
- Activity
Related biomarkers
Related tests
Related topics
Build your longevity profile
What does this mean for your own health data? Log your results, follow trends over time and bring an organised summary to your next doctor's appointment.