How Heart Health May Influence Parkinson’s Disease Risk

A new study suggests that maintaining good heart health might also help protect against Parkinson’s disease (PD). Researchers examined how ‘Life’s Essential 8’ (LE8)—a set of heart-healthy lifestyle factors—relates to the likelihood of developing PD. Their findings indicate that better cardiovascular health (CVH) is linked to a lower risk of Parkinson’s, with the effect being more pronounced in women than in men. What Is Life’s Essential 8? LE8 is a health assessment tool developed by the American Heart Association. It measures cardiovascular health based on the following factors: Diet Physical activity Nicotine exposure (smoking and vaping) Sleep health Body weight Blood sugar levels Cholesterol levels Blood pressure These factors provide an overall score, helping to assess an individual’s heart health. The Study and Its Key Findings The researchers analysed data from nearly 27,000 adults who participated in U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys between 2005 and 2018. Among them, 271 individuals had Parkinson’s disease. By comparing participants’ LE8 scores, the study found that those with better heart health were significantly less likely to have PD. Specifically: Higher LE8 scores were associated with a lower risk of developing PD. Individuals with the highest heart health scores had about a 50% lower risk of PD compared to those with the lowest scores. The protective effect of heart health was stronger in women than in men. Why This Matters While the connection between cardiovascular health and Parkinson’s is not yet fully understood, this study suggests that lifestyle changes promoting heart health could also reduce the risk of developing PD. Since Parkinson’s has no known cure, prevention strategies like improving diet, staying active, and maintaining healthy blood pressure could play a crucial role in lowering risk. Additionally, these findings could help guide new approaches for preventing PD, particularly by addressing gender differences in health outcomes.