Correlation Between Life’s Essential 8 Score and Inter-arm Systolic Blood Pressure Difference

OBJECTIVE To explore the correlation between life’s essential 8 (LE8) score developed by the American Heart Association and the inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 47,671 subjects. The association between LE8 score and IASBPD was analyzed using generalized linear models. The impact of LE8 score on IASBPD was analyzed using logistic regression models. The dose–effect relationship between LE8 score and IASBPD was assessed by a restricted cubic spline regression model. Stratified analysis was conducted for patients of different ages and genders, as well as for patients with and without tumors, and with and without coronary heart disease. RESULTS IASBPD³10 mmHg was detected in 5,411 subjects (11.35%). After adjusting for confounders, a 10-point increase in LE8 score was associated with a decrease in IASBPD: 0.31 mmHg overall, 0.27 mmHg in males, 0.30 mmHg in females, 0.27 mmHg in the young and middle-aged group, and 0.26 mmHg in the elderly (all P < .01). Compared to the low cardiovascular health (CVH) group (LE8 score was 0–49), the risk of abnormal IASBPD was reduced by 24% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–0.81, P < .01) in the medium CVH group (LE8 score was 50–79) and by 65% (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.29–0.43, P < .01) in the high CVH group (LE8 score was 80–100). Each standard deviation increase in LE8 score lowered the risk by 21% (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.76–0.81, P < .01). Restricted cubic spline plot showed a significant nonlinear negative correlation between LE8 score IASBPD (P < .01). Significant interactions were found with gender and age (both P < .01). In stratified analysis high CVH reduced IASBPD risk by 72% (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.20–0.38) in females, 43% (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.44–0.74) in males, 63% (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.30–0.46) in young and middle-aged group, and 53% (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29–0.76) in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS Higher LE8 scores are associated with lower IASBPD, and this inverse relationship is more pronounced among females and individuals in the middle-aged and young adults.