Key result
A greater number of adverse childhood experiences was associated with a higher likelihood of moderate to high cardiovascular risk among young adults compared to zero or few ACEs.
Why the study?
Heart disease is the fourth leading cause of death for young adults aged 18-34 in the United States, and ACEs may shape cardiovascular health, prompting examination of this association and mediating pathways in a contemporary national sample.
Does a greater number of adverse childhood experiences increase cardiovascular risk in young adults?
Cross-Sectional
Yes
Does a greater number of adverse childhood experiences increase cardiovascular risk in young adults?
Adverse childhood experiences are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in young adults, with poor mental health and cumulative disadvantage acting as significant mediators.
ACEs may flag elevated CV risk in young adults; leaves open causal pathways and intervention effects.
Background: Heart disease is the fourth leading cause of death for young adults aged 18–34 in the United States. Recent research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may shape cardiovascular health and its proximate antecedents. In the current study, we draw on a contemporary, national sample to examine the association between ACEs and cardiovascular health among young adults in the United States, as well as potential mediating pathways. Methods: The present study uses data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine associations between ACEs and cardiovascular risk, as well as the role of cumulative disadvantage and poor mental health in these associations. Results: Findings indicate that young adults who have experienced a greater number of ACEs have a higher likelihood of having moderate to high cardiovascular risk compared to those who have zero or few reported ACEs. Moreover, both poor mental health and cumulative disadvantage explain a significant proportion of this association. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that young adulthood is an appropriate age for deploying prevention efforts related to cardiovascular risk, particularly for young adults reporting high levels of ACEs.
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Jackson et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular risk. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) vs. Zero or few reported ACEs was evaluated on Moderate to high cardiovascular risk. A greater number of adverse childhood experiences was associated with a higher likelihood of moderate to high cardiovascular risk among young adults compared to zero or few ACEs.
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