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Background Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) is related to a low cardiovascular disease risk profile. This study aimed to investigate CVH metrics with both the biomarkers and markers of subclinical impairments of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in subjects from central south China. Methods The ideal CVH score (non-smoking status; ideal body mass index; regular physical activity; healthy diet; and an optimal serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose profile; 1 point for each; total score: 0–7) was collected from 3009 participants without a history of CVDs. Subclinical biomarkers were assessed using C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and microalbuminuria. The presence of subclinical disease markers was defined as having at least one of the following: increased carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque, left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, or a reduced ankle-brachial index. The association of biomarkers and markers with the CVH score was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression and linear regression analyses. Results Only 0.2% of the study participants met all 7 ideal CVH metrics (CVH score = 7). Compared to the female participants, the male participants had poorer CVH profiles and a higher incidence of subclinical lesions (P

Associations between the 14-point CVH score (per 1-unit increase) and each component of the subclinical disease markers stratified by gender. (DOCX 51 kb)

Associations between the 14-point CVH score (per 1- unit increase) and number of the subclinical disease markers stratified by gender. (DOCX 50 kb)

Associations between the 14-point CVH score (per 1-unit increase) and the log-transformed subclinical biomarker level stratified by gender. (DOCX 48 kb)

Creation of the 14-point CVH score. (DOCX 52 kb)