Research Objective
This study aims to evaluate the associations between Life’s Essential 9 (LE9) and sarcopenia, frailty, and age-related cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the UK Biobank (UKB) cohort.
Scientific Rationale
With global aging, sarcopenia, frailty, and CVDs have become interrelated conditions that significantly affect older adults. In 2024, Circulation proposed LE9-a comprehensive framework including four behavioral metrics (diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep) and five health factors (BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and psychological health)-as an updated measure of cardiovascular health (CVH).
Sarcopenia is not only a marker of physical decline but also associated with CVDs. few studies have examined how LE9 components, especially modifiable factors like diet, physical activity, sleep, and mental health, interact with sarcopenia, frailty, and age-related CVDs (e.g., coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart failure). It remains unclear whether optimal CVH can offset genetic or environmental risks.
We aim to utilize the entire UK Biobank cohort, including data on socioeconomic status, lifestyle and environmental factors, genomics (such as aging-related clonal hematopoiesis [CHIP], sarcopenia-related whole exome sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and genotyping), biochemical markers, and health outcomes (death/cancer registries, cardiometabolic diseases, and first occurrences). We will also incorporate online follow-up data (24-hour dietary recalls, cognitive function assessments) and imaging data. We will apply genetic risk scores (GRS) and deep learning methods to assess associations between LE9 and aging-related CVD and explore the underlying biological mechanisms within genetic contexts.
Public Health Significance
This study will show LE9’s value in predicting sarcopenia/frailty and CVD, and reveal interactions between CVH and genetic risk. Findings will promote healthy aging.
