A new study suggests that the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment as we age.
- Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is associated with a 45% increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study.
- Multi-comorbidities increase this risk.
- Management of the cardiac disorder and management of comorbidities could help prevent cognitive deterioration.
Atrial fibrillation (also called atrial) is a heart rhythm disorder that causes the heart to speed up and beat irregularly. Already associated with a high risk of stroke and mortality, the disease also appears to increase the risk of suffering from mild cognitive impairment and memory decline, according to a new study.
Atrial fibrillation : the disorder increases the risk of cognitive impairment light
To see the consequences of atrial fibrillation on cognitive abilities, researchers reviewed the electronic health records of 4.3 million people living in the United Kingdom. They found that being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation increased the risk of experiencing mild cognitive impairment, an early stage of memory decline, by 45% as we aged. Multi-comorbidities, such as diabetes, depression or high cholesterol, also increased the risk.
“Our study showed that the atrial fibrillation was associated with a 45% increase in the risk of mild cognitive impairmentand that cardiovascular risk factors and multi-comorbidity seem to be associated with this result”concludes Dr Rui Providenciafull professor at theInstitute of Health computer science Research of the’University College London and lead author of the research in a communicated.
Memory : manage atrial fibrillation to prevent decline
The study, presented in the journal JACC: Advances, highlighted the importance of managing the heart disorder. Indeed, patients with the disease who took digoxin (a treatment that promotes cardiac contraction) did not show an increased risk of memory decline. The same was true for those who took a oral anticoagulant treatment and amiodarone.
In contrast, the risk of mild cognitive impairment was higher in patients with atrial fibrillation not receiving these medications.
So for researchers, management of the cardiac disorder and management of comorbidities could help prevent cognitive deterioration and progression to dementia. However, additional studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
