Table 1.
Definitions of poor, intermediate, ideal for each of the seven components of cardiovascular health.a
| Goal/metric | Poor | Intermediate | Ideal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking statusb | Currently smoking | Former ≤12 months | Never or quit N12 months ago |
| Body mass index | ≥30 kg/m2 | 25–29.9 kg/m2 | <25 kg/m2 |
| Physical activityb | No physical activity | 1–149 min/week moderate intensity or 1–74 min/week vigorous intensity or 1–149 min/week moderate + vigorous | ≥150 min/week moderate intensity or ≥75 min/week vigorous intensity or combination |
| Dietb,c | 0–1 healthy diet components | 2–3 healthy diet components | 4–5 healthy diet components |
| Total serum cholesterol | ≥240 mg/dl | 200–239 mg/dl or treated to goal | <200 mg/dl |
| Blood pressure | Systolic ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg | Systolic 120–139 mm Hg or diastolic 80–89 mm Hg or treated to goal | Systolic <120 mm Hg and diastolic <80 mm Hg |
| HbA1c | ≥6.5% | <6.5% | <6.0% |
Based on modified criteria from the cardiovascular health index proposed by the American Heart Association (see text and reference no. 3).
Based on self-report and structured interviews; all other measures based on physical or laboratory values.
Based on self-reported consumption of each of the following five “health diet components:” 1) average daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (cups per day) ≥4.5; 2) average daily consumption of fiber (grams per day) ≥12.5; 3) average weekly consumption of fish (oz servings per week) ≥3.5; 4) average daily consumption of “added sugar” (grams per day) ≤36 if male or ≤24 if female; and 5) percent of daily energy intake from saturated fat <14.