A new study confirms that three common cardiovascular conditions in adults – heart failure, atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease – are linked to cognitive impairment and an increased risk of dementia.
- The study shows that patients with atrial fibrillation have a 39% increased risk of memory or thinking problems.
- Adults with coronary heart disease have a 27% higher risk of developing dementia compared to others.
- Additionally, up to 50% of patients who have had a heart attack experience cognitive decline afterward.
To take care of your brain, you have to take care of your heart. Here are the lessons from the new scientific statement from the American Heart Association published in the organization’s journal Stroke.
Indeed, the University of Illinois team behind the study demonstrated that heart failure, atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease are associated with cognitive decline.
Heart disease and dementia: up to 50% increased risk
The researchers took all the work carried out on the three cardiac pathologies and analyzed their data. They showed that nearly 50% of people with heart failure may subsequently experience cognitive impairment. The latter can impact language, memory and/or executive function. Scientists have also noticed that the rate of cognitive impairment tends to be higher in patients with severe heart failure.
They also noted that atrial fibrillation increases the risk of cognitive impairment by 39%. Another discovery: developing coronary heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, increases the risk of having dementia by 27% compared to healthy people. “Up to 50% of people experience loss of brain function after a heart attack. Data from multiple large-scale studies show that a heart attack is linked to greater decline in cognitive function, including memory and executive function. High levels of calcium buildup in the arteries are also linked to a greater risk of developing dementia.write the authors in their press release.
Heart and brain: prevention is better
Faced with these results, the researchers of the meta-analysis warn that taking care of your heart health from an early age helps prevent cardiovascular disease, but also, through a domino effect, protects brain health and reduces the risk. of cognitive decline later in life.
“Dementia is generally considered to be an incurable, relentless disease that cannot be prevented. However, evidence shows that adopting a healthy lifestyle and identifying and treating vascular risk factors early can help preserve normal functioning. of the brain and reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias”says editorial group chairman Dr. Fernando D. Testai.
“Although new drugs that may treat Alzheimer’s disease are being developed, the medical community is well aware that prevention is better than a cure. Further research is needed to confirm and describe how Cardiovascular care can improve brain health. Additionally, more research is needed to understand how gender and ethnicity may influence the connection between the brain and the heart.concludes the expert.
