Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally, with significant impacts on public health. Among them, heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), is an increasingly prevalent form that primarily affects older adults, women, and individuals with metabolic comorbidities. CVD, including HFpEF, remains poorly understood, and there are limited preventive or therapeutic strategies. The heterogeneous etiology of CVD poses a major challenge for identifying effective interventions, particularly for HFpEF, which accounts for nearly half of all heart failure cases.
This project aims to investigate how modifiable lifestyle factors and circulating biomarkers contribute to CVD risk in ageing populations. We will leverage data from the UK Biobank to explore the impact of physical inactivity, high-carbohydrate dietary patterns, psychosocial stress, and chronic low-grade inflammation on the development of CVD. Additionally, we will explore the role of these factors across different life stages, from early adulthood through to older age, to better understand the cumulative effects on cardiovascular health.
Our primary objectives are fourfold: (1) To quantify associations between life-course physical inactivity and the incidence of CVD events, including HFpEF.; (2) To explore links between cardiometabolic stressors-such as insulin resistance, CRP, IL-6-and CVD onset.; (3) To identify potential biomarker signatures through machine learning analysis of longitudinal and omics data; and (4) To assess whether specific types of physical activity (e.g., moderate vs vigorous, occupational vs leisure) are protective against CVD, including heart failure and other cardiovascular events.
Our findings will provide insights into the pathophysiological pathways leading to CVD and support the development of predictive tools and lifestyle interventions aimed at delaying or preventing its onset in older adults.
