Ideal levels of Life’s Simple 7 were defined as: non-smoker or quit more than one year ago; having a healthy weight (body mass index less than 25); performing at least 150 minutes/week of physical activity; having a healthy diet score (high in fruits and vegetables, fish, and fiber-rich whole grains; low in sodium and sugar-sweetened beverages); having a total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL; blood pressure of less than 120/80 mm Hg; and a fasting blood glucose of less than 100 mg/dL.

The findings have far-reaching effects, according to Rebholz.


“Attaining ideal cardiovascular health as defined by the AHA Life’s Simple 7 metric may have substantial benefit for preventing the development of kidney disease. Recommending these ideal health factors may be effective as a population-wide strategy for kidney disease prevention,” she said.

One limitation of the study is that researchers assessed diet using self-reported information. Further research is necessary to better understand dietary factors that are relevant for kidney health.

Co-authors are Cheryl A.M. Anderson, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.; Morgan E. Grams, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.S.; Lydia A. Bazzano, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.; Deidra C. Crews, M.D., Sc.M.; Alex R. Chang, M.D., M.S.; Josef Coresh, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.S.; and Lawrence J. Appel, M.D., M.P.H. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health funded the study.

Additional Resources:

-Researcher headshot available on the right column of this release link http://newsroom.heart.org/news/factors-associated-with-good-heart-health-may-also-protect-kidneys?preview=eb7347b32b24e8a80ad272c344ce013b

-After April 6, view the manuscript online.

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