Research shows that people with better cardiovascular health habits have lower rates of epilepsy. A Gram Research analysis of 9,408 Americans found that for each point increase in Life’s Essential 8 score (a measure of heart health behaviors including diet, exercise, and weight management), the odds of having epilepsy decreased by about 2 percent. Diet quality showed the strongest protective effect.
A large study of nearly 9,500 Americans found that people with better cardiovascular health habits had lower rates of epilepsy. Researchers looked at Life’s Essential 8, a checklist of healthy behaviors created by the American Heart Association that includes eating well, exercising, managing weight, and controlling blood pressure. According to Gram Research analysis, the connection was strongest for diet quality. While the effect was modest, the findings suggest that taking care of your heart health might also help protect your brain from seizures. This is one of the first studies to explore this potential link.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 9,408 Americans from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that higher Life’s Essential 8 scores were significantly associated with lower odds of epilepsy, with each additional point reducing epilepsy odds by approximately 2 percent.
Diet quality was identified as the strongest individual component of Life’s Essential 8 in relation to epilepsy risk, showing a significant inverse association with epilepsy prevalence in the 9,408-participant study.
The relationship between Life’s Essential 8 and epilepsy was consistent across all demographic groups studied, including different ages, sexes, and racial backgrounds, suggesting the protective effect of cardiovascular health habits applies broadly across populations.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether people who follow healthy heart habits (eating well, exercising, managing weight, controlling blood pressure, and other cardiovascular health behaviors) have lower rates of epilepsy.
- Who participated: 9,408 adults from across the United States who participated in a national health survey between 2013 and 2018. The group included people of different ages, races, and backgrounds.
- Key finding: For every point increase in Life’s Essential 8 score (a measure of heart health habits), the odds of having epilepsy decreased by about 2 percent. People who ate healthier diets showed the strongest protective effect.
- What it means for you: If you have epilepsy or want to reduce your seizure risk, focusing on heart-healthy habits like eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight may help. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that these habits prevent epilepsy. Talk to your doctor before making major changes to your health routine.
The Research Details
Researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a large government study that tracks the health of Americans. They looked at information collected between 2013 and 2018 from nearly 9,500 people. This was a cross-sectional study, meaning researchers looked at all the data at one point in time rather than following people over years. They measured each person’s Life’s Essential 8 score, which combines eight healthy behaviors: eating a healthy diet, being physically active, managing weight, controlling blood pressure, managing cholesterol, managing blood sugar, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol. They then checked whether people had epilepsy and used statistical analysis to see if better Life’s Essential 8 scores were connected to lower epilepsy rates.
This research approach is important because it uses real-world data from a representative sample of Americans rather than a small group in a lab. Cross-sectional studies can identify patterns and connections that might be worth studying more deeply. By looking at a large, diverse population, the findings are more likely to apply to many different people. The researchers also carefully adjusted for other factors that might affect epilepsy risk, like age, race, education, and income, to make sure the connection to heart health was real.
This study has several strengths: it included a large number of participants from across the country, used standardized health measurements, and adjusted for many confounding factors. However, because it was cross-sectional, researchers cannot prove that better heart health causes lower epilepsy rates, only that they are connected. The effect size was modest, meaning the protective effect of better heart health was relatively small. The study relied on self-reported information for some health conditions, which can be less accurate than medical records. Additionally, the study cannot explain why this connection exists or whether it applies equally to all types of epilepsy.
What the Results Show
After accounting for age, race, education, income, and other health factors, the researchers found that higher Life’s Essential 8 scores were significantly linked to lower odds of epilepsy. Specifically, for each additional point on the Life’s Essential 8 scale, the odds of having epilepsy decreased by about 2 percent. This relationship was consistent and linear, meaning the benefit increased steadily as Life’s Essential 8 scores improved, with no sudden jumps or plateaus. The diet quality component showed the strongest individual association with lower epilepsy odds. When researchers looked at different groups of people (by age, sex, race, and other characteristics), the protective effect of better cardiovascular health was similar across all groups, suggesting this connection applies broadly.
The analysis revealed that diet quality was the single most important component of Life’s Essential 8 in relation to epilepsy risk. While all eight components of the score contributed to the overall protective effect, dietary improvements appeared to have the most meaningful impact. The researchers found no significant differences in how this relationship worked across different demographic groups, meaning the connection between heart health and epilepsy risk appeared consistent whether people were young or old, male or female, or from different racial backgrounds.
This is one of the first large-scale studies to examine the connection between comprehensive cardiovascular health metrics and epilepsy prevalence. Previous research has shown that individual heart health factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and poor diet quality may influence neurological health, but this study is novel in examining all eight essential cardiovascular health behaviors together. The findings align with growing evidence that brain health and heart health are interconnected through shared biological pathways, including inflammation and blood vessel function.
This study shows a connection between heart health and epilepsy but cannot prove that better heart health causes lower epilepsy risk. Because the data was collected at one point in time, researchers cannot determine whether people developed better heart health habits after being diagnosed with epilepsy or before. Some health information came from self-reports rather than medical records, which can be less accurate. The study included only people who participated in the national health survey, so results may not apply to people who were not surveyed. Additionally, the study cannot explain the biological reasons why this connection exists or whether it applies to all types of epilepsy equally.
The Bottom Line
If you have epilepsy or want to reduce your seizure risk, consider adopting heart-healthy habits, particularly improving your diet. Focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting processed foods, added sugars, and sodium. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure, and avoiding smoking are also important. These recommendations are supported by strong evidence for heart health and appear to have potential benefits for brain health as well. However, these lifestyle changes should complement, not replace, your epilepsy treatment plan. Always consult your neurologist or doctor before making significant changes to your health routine.
This research is relevant for people with epilepsy who want to explore additional ways to support their health, people at risk for epilepsy who want to reduce their risk, and anyone interested in the connection between heart and brain health. Healthcare providers treating epilepsy patients may find this useful when counseling patients about lifestyle modifications. The findings are less directly applicable to people with genetic forms of epilepsy that are unrelated to cardiovascular health, though maintaining good heart health remains beneficial for overall wellness.
Improvements in heart health habits typically take weeks to months to show measurable effects on cardiovascular markers like blood pressure and cholesterol. If these habits do influence seizure frequency, similar timelines would be expected, though individual responses vary widely. Some people may notice changes in seizure patterns within a few weeks of dietary improvements, while others may take several months. Consistency matters more than perfection, so sustainable lifestyle changes are more likely to produce lasting benefits than short-term efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can improving my diet and exercise habits help reduce seizures if I have epilepsy?
Research suggests a connection between better cardiovascular health habits and lower epilepsy rates. While this study cannot prove diet and exercise prevent seizures, adopting heart-healthy behaviors like eating more vegetables and exercising regularly may support overall brain health. Always discuss lifestyle changes with your neurologist.
What is Life’s Essential 8 and why does it matter for epilepsy?
Life’s Essential 8 is a checklist of eight cardiovascular health behaviors: healthy diet, physical activity, weight management, blood pressure control, cholesterol management, blood sugar control, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol. A 2026 study found people with higher scores on this checklist had lower epilepsy rates, suggesting heart and brain health are connected.
Which part of Life’s Essential 8 is most important for reducing epilepsy risk?
Diet quality showed the strongest connection to lower epilepsy risk in this study. Eating more whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while limiting processed foods and added sugars appeared most beneficial. However, all eight components together provide the greatest protective effect.
How long does it take to see benefits from improving cardiovascular health habits?
Measurable changes in cardiovascular markers typically appear within weeks to months of consistent healthy habits. If these improvements influence seizure patterns, similar timelines would be expected, though individual responses vary. Consistency matters more than perfection for lasting benefits.
Does this study prove that heart health habits prevent epilepsy?
No, this study shows a connection between better cardiovascular health and lower epilepsy rates, but cannot prove one causes the other. The researchers looked at data from one point in time rather than following people over years. More research is needed to understand whether improving heart health actually prevents epilepsy.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your Life’s Essential 8 score weekly by logging diet quality (using a simple 1-10 rating), minutes of physical activity, weight, blood pressure readings, and other cardiovascular health markers. Compare your scores to your seizure frequency or severity to identify personal patterns.
- Start with one dietary improvement this week, such as adding one extra serving of vegetables to your daily meals or replacing one sugary drink with water. Once this becomes routine, add another habit like a 20-minute walk three times per week. Build gradually rather than overhauling everything at once.
- Create a simple weekly dashboard showing your Life’s Essential 8 components alongside your seizure log. Over 8 to 12 weeks, look for patterns between improvements in cardiovascular health habits and changes in seizure frequency, severity, or triggers. Share this data with your healthcare provider to inform your epilepsy management plan.
This research shows an association between cardiovascular health habits and epilepsy rates but does not prove causation. These findings should not replace medical treatment for epilepsy or be used as a substitute for advice from your neurologist or healthcare provider. If you have epilepsy, consult your doctor before making significant changes to your treatment plan or lifestyle. While adopting heart-healthy habits is generally beneficial, individual responses vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.