Good Lifestyle

When you think of dementia, cognitive decline and memory loss probably come to mind first - you might be surprised to learn that your heart really plays an important role inYour risk of dementia. According to a new study published inLancet In June 2022, people with certain heart conditions areThree times more likely Develop dementia than those with high genetic risk. Read the rest to discover what heart problems could put you more at risk of dementia, and how you can reduce your chances of developing a cognitive decline if you have them.

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The large -scale study examined health and genetic data over 200,000 people aged 60 and over without preexisting dementia symptoms, and followed them for more than 15 years. Researchers have observed that people diagnosed with certain cardiovascular conditions (or any combination of them)Pike in their risk of dementia.

"Our main analysis has examined the heart attack, diabetes and cerebral vascular accidents. These three are all linked to heart health. We have also examined heart failure and found similar results", "Xin you tai, PHD, main author of the study and specialist in neurology inNuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, recountBetter life. "We found that having several conditions that affect the heart was linked to three times more risk of dementia at high genetic risk."

Read this then:If you don't remember these 4 things, it could be a sign of early Alzheimer.

In addition to damaging your heart, heart attacks can raise your risk of dementia, warn experts. "Many of the risk factors related to heart disease are also risk factors for dementia development," saidJennifer Mieres, MD, aCardiology teacher to the Zucker School of Medicine. "In addition, a story of anterior heart attack is an independent risk factor for the development of dementia."

According to the Mayo Clinic, several studies show that people with a history of heart attacks were more at risk ofVascular dementia development- a condition characterized by changes in memory, thought and behavior resulting from a reduction in blood flow to the brain.

Another factor of stroke that makes yourRisk of dementia soars. "When a person has a stroke, blood flow and circulation around the brain are affected and oxygen is not provided as it should," says Tai. A 2017 study published inInternational Neurology have found that the risk of vascular dementia is the highest in patients with stroke withatrial fibrillation- an irregular (and often rapid) heart rate that can cause blood clots in the heart.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), risk factors for atrial fibrillation include advanced age, high blood pressure, heart and pulmonary diseases, congenital heart disease and high alcohol consumption. You can reduce the risk of your stroke and protect the health of your brain by making healthy lifestyle changes that prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity - all risk factors for stroke .

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Although diabetes is not strictly a heart disease, it can also affect your heart health and increase the risk of dementia. According to the NIH, high levels of diabetes blood sugar candamage your blood vessels And the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. Over time, this damage can causeheart disease, endangering you to develop dementia due to damaged blood vessels which can no longer provide sufficient blood flow to the brain.

Fortunately, you can take measures to protect your heart and potentiallyextinguish dementia. These include doing regular exercise, eating a heart health food rich in healthy plants and fats, stress reduction, sleeping sufficiently and monitoring risk factors such as blood pressure, the blood sugar and cholesterol. "Small constant changes can have a huge impact over time," says Mieres. "Remember that lifestyle changes are not" all or nothing "- it has been shown that life-related changes have an important clinical advantage."

Talk to your health care provider for more advice on protecting your heart and brain.Percy Griffin, PHD,Alzheimer's association Director of scientific commitment, saysBetter life "Conversation on cardiac health management is something that everyone should have with their doctor. Improving your heart health is important to maintain your brain health as you get older."