Better Heart Health Linked to Lower Risk of Severe COVID-19

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that better heart health before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the risk of severe outcomes, such as hospitalization or death. Researchers from the University of Vermont and Columbia University analyzed data from nearly 30,000 adults without pre-existing cardiovascular disease, using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 metric to assess heart health. The study, part of the Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID-19 Research (C4R), found that individuals with high Life’s Essential 8 scores (80-100) had a 46% lower risk of severe COVID-19 compared to those with low scores (below 50). For every 14-point increase in the score, the risk dropped by 20%. Key components driving this benefit included better physical activity, healthier body mass index, optimal blood pressure, and improved sleep patterns.

Lead author Tim Plante, M.D., M.H.S., emphasized that the findings highlight the importance of heart health in preparing the body for infectious diseases like COVID-19, which caused 1.22 million U.S. deaths between March 2020 and March 2025. Senior author Elizabeth C. Oelsner, M.D., Dr.P.H., compared a viral infection to a "cardiac stress test," noting that a healthy heart helps the body cope with such stress. The study also showed that the protective effect was consistent across age, sex, race, ethnicity, and vaccination status, and persisted as the pandemic evolved. While the research is observational and cannot prove cause and effect, it reinforces that heart health is crucial not only for preventing cardiovascular disease but also for reducing the severity of infections.

The study, which relied on data from 14 U.S. cohorts with long-term health information, underscores the value of lifestyle habits and vaccination. Sadiya S. Khan, M.D., M.Sc., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology Statistic Committee, noted that healthy habits offer direct benefits against respiratory infections. The American Heart Association’s My Life Check calculator can help individuals assess their cardiovascular health. This research adds to growing evidence that maintaining heart health through diet, exercise, and other factors is vital for overall resilience against infections like COVID-19.