Low income was indirectly associated with elevated systolic blood pressure (β=-0.12; 95% CI, -0.146 to -0.088; P=0.006), with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showing the strongest behavioral link.
Cross-Sectional (n=3,345)
Yes
Does moderate-to-vigorous physical activity mitigate the association between low income and cardiovascular risk (systolic blood pressure) in US adults?
Low income is indirectly associated with elevated systolic blood pressure via unhealthy behaviors, with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showing the strongest potential to mitigate this risk.
Effect estimate: β=-0.12 (95% CI -0.146 to -0.088)
p-value: p=0.006
Background Life’s Essential 8 provides a comprehensive framework linking modifiable behavioral and biological factors to cardiovascular risk. This study evaluated a multimediation model to explain how low income is associated with cardiovascular risk indexed by blood pressure. Methods National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2021–2023) data were analyzed among community‐dwelling US adults (n=3345). A multimediation path analysis tested a behavioral‐to‐biological pathway from income through health behaviors (moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity MVPA, sleep, nutrition, and smoking) to biological measures (body mass index, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting glucose), with systolic blood pressure as the end point. Results Low income was associated with lower MVPA (β=0.11, P <0.001), lower nutrition (β=0.11, P <0.001), and increase in smoking (β=0.40, P <0.001). Total indirect effects indicated that low income was associated with higher fasting glucose (β=−0.10 95% CI, −0.128 to −0.066; P =0.010), body mass index (β=−0.10, 95% CI, −0.134 to −0.069; P =0.006), and systolic blood pressure (β=−0.12 95% CI, −0.146 to −0.088; P =0.006). Low MVPA was associated with higher systolic blood pressure (β=−0.03 95% CI, −0.056 to 0.000; P =0.048), fasting glucose (β=−0.07, P <0.001), and body mass index (β=−0.08, P <0.001). Conclusions Low income was associated with unhealthy behaviors and indirect associations with adverse biological outcomes and elevated systolic blood pressure. MVPA demonstrated the strongest behavioral association, suggesting that promoting MVPA may mitigate income‐related cardiovascular risk and inform community‐based trials among low‐income individuals.
Nemati et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular risk (n=3,345). Low income was evaluated on systolic blood pressure (β=-0.12, 95% CI -0.146 to -0.088, p=0.006). Low income was indirectly associated with elevated systolic blood pressure (β=-0.12; 95% CI, -0.146 to -0.088; P=0.006), with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity showing the strongest behavioral link.