Which element of a star would show that it is living a high mass life cycle as opposed to a low mass star life cycle?

The key element that indicates a star is living a high mass life cycle is the presence of heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and eventually iron in its core. High mass stars undergo fusion processes that produce these heavier elements during their relatively short lifetimes. In contrast, low mass stars primarily fuse hydrogen into helium and may only produce lighter elements before they evolve into red giants and shed their outer layers, leaving behind white dwarfs. The ability to create and sustain fusion of heavier elements is a hallmark of high mass star evolution.