# Temporal Trends in Cardiovascular Health Metrics in Italy, 2015–2024: A Ten-Year Report from the Longevity Check-Up (Lookup) 8+ Study

## TL;DR

This study tracks cardiovascular health trends in Italy from 2015 to 2024, showing improvements after the pandemic but persistent gaps by age and sex.

## Contribution

The study provides a ten-year longitudinal analysis of cardiovascular health trends in Italy, including the post-COVID-19 impact.

## Key findings

- CVH scores initially declined from 2015 to 2017 but improved to 4.41 by 2024.
- Younger adults and women had the highest prevalence of ideal CVH in 2024.
- The post-COVID-19 period was linked to higher odds of ideal CVH.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The objective of this ten-year report is to describe temporal trends in the cardiovascular health (CVH) score and its individual components across ages and sexes. We also examined the impact of the post-COVID-19 period on ideal CVH and identified demographic predictors of favorable cardiovascular risk profiles. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected between 2015 and 2024 as part of the Lookup 8+ project, an ongoing initiative integrating field-based CVH assessments across Italy. CVH was operationalized using a modified CVH score (0–7 points) inspired by Life’s Simple 7, combining behavioral and clinical metrics. Trends over time and across demographic groups were examined using descriptive statistics and multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, and year of assessment. Results: The study included 18,491 participants (mean age 56.1 ± 14.8 years; 55.2% women). After an initial decline in CVH score between 2015 and 2017 (mean score from 4.39 to 3.95), a gradual improvement followed, reaching 4.41 in 2024. Younger adults (18–39 years; 71.9% in 2024) and women (56.8%) consistently showed the highest prevalence of ideal CVH (score ≥ 5). The post-COVID-19 period was independently associated with higher odds of ideal CVH (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.24–1.40). While blood pressure and cholesterol metrics improved, dietary quality and glycemic control worsened over time. Conclusions: From 2015 to 2024, overall CVH improved among Lookup participants, particularly among younger individuals after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, substantial age- and sex-related gaps remain, requiring targeted and equity-oriented prevention efforts.