Cardiovascular Health Was Moderate in Austrian Adolescents and Showed an Inverse Relationship With High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein Levels

AIM: This Prospective, Community-Based Cohort Study Investigated Cardiovascular Health and Its Association With Low-Grade Inflammation in Adolescents. METHODS: Data were collected by specially trained medical staff from 1379 Austrian adolescents aged 14-19 years from 3 February 2021 to 28 February 2023. These included a self-report, assisted questionnaire and structured interview. Cardiovascular health was assessed using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 score and chronic low-grade inflammation was measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Associations were analysed using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: The average Life's Essential 8 score suggested 75.0% adherence to ideal cardiovascular health recommendations and 68.2% of the cohort had moderate total cardiovascular health scores. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels indicated that 66.5% of the adolescents had a low risk of cardiovascular disease. These levels were associated with the total Life's Essential 8 scores (p < 0.001), as well as age (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001), dietary habits (p = 0.029), active smoking (p < 0.001), higher body mass index z-scores (p < 0.001), and oral hormonal contraceptive use (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall, cardiovascular health was moderate and showed an inverse relationship with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Improved dietary habits, appropriate physical activity and not using tobacco may help to reduce systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risks.