Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in the world and the American Heart Association (AHA) has established seven metrics that indicate cardiovascular health (CVS). A poor CVS affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The university environment presents different activities and may require maintaining postures (sitting or standing) for long periods (secretary and professors) or repetitive effort (cleaning workers).

To evaluate the CVH and to associate it with the HRQoL of workers in a university environment.

This is a cross-sectional observational study carried out with workers at a higher education institution. The study included 121 workers aged between 18 and 59 years who had been effective for at least six months. Those with a clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or those who did not complete all stages of the study were excluded. The sample was recruited for convenience. CVH was assessed following the AHA recommendations using seven metrics, four of which were behavioral (diet, level of physical activity, smoking and body mass index) and three were biological (fasting glucose, total cholesterol and systemic blood pressure) and classified as poor, intermediate and ideal. After computing the metrics a score is generated. To assess the level of physical activity and diet, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Mediterranean Diet Questionnaire were used, respectively. The Short Form – 36 (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL and the physical (PC) and mental (MC) components were computed. Data normality was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Comparison between CVH groups was performed using the one-way ANOVA test with Tukey's post hoc (symmetrical distribution) and the Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples with Dunn's post hoc. Multiple linear regression verified the relationship between the CVH score and the HRQoL domains, with data adjusted for sex and age. The software used for analysis was the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and the value considered for p was <0.05.

Of the workers, 25.6% had poor CVH, 27.2% intermediate and 47.1% ideal. Workers with poor CVH [46.26 (6.98)] had lower PC HRQoL values when compared to the intermediate [50.34 (6.53), p= 0.036] and ideal group [50.07 (6 .21), p= 0.002]. There was also a positive relationship between the CVH score and the PC [β= 0.068 (95%CI= 0.011 to 0.126), p= 0.020] of HRQoL.

Half of the workers had between poor and intermediate CVH. Those with poor CVH had worse HRQoL on the PC. There was a direct relationship between the CVH score and HRQL PC.

The use of metrics can be a tool for screening CVH, easy collection and good cost-effectiveness. It is also an opportunity to show workers the importance of physical exercise and proper nutrition.