Meeting a greater number of the American Heart Association’s seven ideal cardiovascular health components is a twofer: not only is it associated with a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, but with a lower incidence of several major types of cancer as well.

By the same token, a separate study, this one in the cancer literature, has recently documented that individuals who adhere more faithfully to the American Cancer Society’s recommended lifestyle behaviors have sharply reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease as well as a lower risk of death due to cancer during long-term followup.

The two groups’ health promotion recommendations share many similarities. Both emphasize the importance of normal body weight, physical activity, and a healthy diet.

The new data documenting crossover benefits from the health promotion guidelines put forth by two major organizations focused on separate diseases are expected to bring renewed energy to collaborative AHA/ACS public health efforts.

"These findings can be used to simplify public health messages by emphasizing a core set of risk factors for prevention of multiple chronic diseases," said Christina M. Shay, Ph.D., of the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

Such a stripped-down core message ought to help quell public frustration with often-conflicting health advice and contradictory medical recommendations, she added.

In 2004 the AHA, ACS, and American Diabetes Association formed the Preventive Health Partnership, an ongoing joint effort to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. The partnership has led to public health campaigns, public service announcements, and advocacy efforts.

Dr. Shay and coworkers recently examined the anticancer impact of adherence to the AHA’s seven ideal cardiovascular health components using the Atherosclerosis In Communities (ARIC) study cohort. ARIC is a prospective, multicenter, population-based study involving roughly 16,000 middle-aged white and African American men and women who have been reexamined at 3-year intervals. ARIC is rare among cardiovascular studies in that it has prospectively collected reliable data on cancer incidence.

The AHA’s seven ideal cardiovascular health components are a body mass index less than 25 kg/m², nonsmoking for at least the last 12 months, an untreated total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL, untreated blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg, untreated fasting blood glucose of less than 100 mg/dL, at least 150 minutes per week of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity, and a healthy diet score.

The healthy diet score requires meeting four out of the following five criteria: consumption of at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily, eating two or more servings of fish per week, sodium intake of less than 1,500 mg per day, not more than 36 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages per week, and at least three servings of whole grains daily.