Heart health is the integrated state of the cardiovascular system. Cardiac output reserve, vascular elasticity, lipid profile, blood pressure, inflammation.
Mechanism: A function of cardiac fitness (VO2 max), vascular health (endothelial function, arterial stiffness), and risk-factor management (lipids, BP, glucose). VO2 max is the strongest single predictor of mortality in adults.
Use case: Build VO2 max with Zone 2 + intervals. Monitor lipids (especially ApoB, not just LDL-C), blood pressure, fasting insulin, hs-CRP. Treat hypertension early.
Caveats: 'Cardio' culturally means jogging. Optimal cardiovascular training is 80% easy aerobic + 20% high intensity. Most people invert it.