Pathways from Depression to Elevated Cardiovascular Risk in Older Adults Through Life’s Essential 8 Model - Abstract

Sep 29, 2026

Depression is identified as a major global contributor to disability and a driver of cardiovascular disease risk, while evidence on how depression influences lifestyle factors through an integrated framework remains limited. Using the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) model, the study examines links between depression and healthy behaviors (physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and not smoking) as well as related biomarkers (LDL cholesterol, BMI, fasting glucose, and systolic blood pressure). Analysis of NHANES data (2021–2023) evaluates multi-mediation pathways in 887 U.S. older adults.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1317 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4384 PATHWAYS FROM DEPRESSION TO ELEVATED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN OLDER ADULTS THROUGH LIFE’S ESSENTIAL 8 MODEL Navin Kaushal1, Lakshmi Naliyat2, Parvati Naliyatthaliyazchayil2, and Donya Nemati3, 1. Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 2. Indiana University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 3. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States Introduction: Depression is the leading cause of disability globally and increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality. While it’s known that depression negatively affects preventive behaviors, there’s limited research on its direct and indirect impact on lifestyle factors in a comprehensive model. The Life Essential 8 (LE8) model emphasizes four healthy behaviors: physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and not smoking, which influence four biomarkers: LDL cholesterol, BMI, fasting glucose, and systolic blood pressure. Guided by LE8, this study aimed to investigate how depression affects health behaviors and biological factors among older adults. Methods: The analysis used NHANES data (2021-2023) on community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. (n = 887) . A multi-mediation path analysis model was developed where biological factors (LDL cholesterol, BMI and glucose levels) mediate the relationship between systolic blood pressure and health behaviors (nutrition, physical activity, sleep and smoking), predicted by depression assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) . Results: Higher scores in depression was found to predict less physical activity (β=-.11, p=.04), worse sleep (β=-.10, p=.04), worse nutrition (β=-.10, p=.04), and greater smoking (β=-.08, p=.04). Accounting for total effects found depression to predict higher BMI (β=.07, p=.022), LDL cholesterol (β=.09, p=.012), and blood glucose levels (β=.11, p=.009) . Conclusion: Depression functioned as barrier to all four preventive health behaviors of the LE8 model and additionally contributed to worsening three biological factors. These findings bring attention to the importance of incorporating intervention components to potentially alleviate depressive symptoms to increase likelihood of successful health behavior adoption.

FAQs

What is the main objective of the study?

To investigate how depression impacts health behaviors and biological factors related to cardiovascular risk in older adults through the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) model.

How did the researchers measure depression and health status?

Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and health behaviors and biomarkers were analyzed using NHANES data from 2021–2023.

What were the key findings linking depression to LE8 behaviors and biomarkers?

Higher depression scores predicted less physical activity, worse sleep, worse nutrition, and greater smoking, and depression was also associated with higher BMI, LDL cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.

Sep 29, 2026

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