Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between cardiovascular health (CVH), evaluated through the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score, and the risk of new-onset age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This longitudinal analysis included 271,274 participants who were free of both cardiovascular diseases and AMD at baseline. The LE8 score was classified into three categories: low (<50 points), moderate (50 to <80 points), and high (≥80 points), with higher scores indicating better CVH. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the relationships between the CVH and AMD incidence. Furthermore, the population attributable risk (PAR%) was calculated for CVH and each individual metric. RESULTS: During an average follow-up duration of 10.9 years, a total of 7468 (2.8%) cases of AMD were documented. Individuals with moderate and high CVH levels had a 14% (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-0.94) and 23% (HR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69-0.86) reduced risk of developing AMD, respectively. A linear dose-response relationship was identified between the cumulative LE8 score and the incidence of AMD. Attaining optimal CVH in all individuals could potentially avert 9.4% (95% CI, 3.7%-15.1%) of AMD cases. Among the CVH metrics, ideal blood glucose and blood pressure levels were related to a reduction of 3.3% and 8.7% in AMD cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced CVH is significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing AMD. Promoting CVH through the LE8 guideline might potentially contribute to the prevention of AMD.