Empirical support for cardiovascular health: the case gets even stronger.

Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) adopted a new and ambitious strategic goal: “by 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease by 20%.”1 In the process, it defined a new concept, cardiovascular health, which comprises 7 components: 4 ideal health behaviors (nonsmoking, body mass index 25 kg/m, physical activity at goal levels, and a diet consistent with current recommendations) together with 3 ideal health factors (untreated total cholesterol 200 mg/dL, untreated blood pressure 120/ 80 mm Hg, and fasting blood glucose 100 mg/dL). This new approach emphasizes prevention with a focus on achieving and sustaining desirable behaviors.