Common heart conditions raise the risk of dementia, experts say

Heart failure is a more serious form of heart disease in which the heart becomes too weak to pump enough blood and oxygen to the body’s organs. Up to 81% of people with heart failure may have some form of cognitive decline that affects memory, language, or thinking and planning skills, according to a new scientific statement.

“Emerging evidence suggests that the bidirectional relationship between the heart and brain is deeper than we thought,” Testai said in an email. “Vascular risk factors associated with heart disease, such as diabetes, can increase levels of beta-amyloid in the brain, which has been recognized as an important marker of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Instead, beta-amyloid is detected in the heart and is associated with cardiac dysfunction,” he said. “These findings suggest a fundamental biochemical connection between the heart and brain.”

A fibers and dementia

Atrial fibrillation, also known as A-fib, is an irregular heartbeat that is often described by many people with symptoms of the heart in the chest “shaking,” “trembling,” or “flip-flopping.”

Atrial fibrillation is Main causes of stroke In the US. Additionally, strokes related to A-fib tend to be “more severe than strokes due to other underlying causes.” According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Microbleeds, small brain bleeds that can cause cognitive decline, are more common in people with atrial fibrillation, according to a new scientific statement. In fact, people with A-fib have a 39% increased risk of memory and thinking problems.

The incidence of atrial fibrillation in the United States is increasing – estimate It is suggested that up to 16 million people will be infected with A-fib by 2050.

Freeman said modern medicine has great drugs, such as statins and cholesterol-lowering drugs, that can prevent or slow the progression of heart disease, especially if detected early. Regular check-ups and taking prescribed medications daily are key to achieving that, he added.

However, there are limits to what drugs can accomplish. For example, aggressively treating high blood pressure may reduce mild cognitive impairment, but not dementia, the AHA statement said.

“Humans are designed to live very differently than we live today, and it’s essential that we help people understand how incredibly important lifestyle is,” Freeman said. spoke.

What are the main lifestyle factors that promote brain health? Nothing you haven’t heard before.

Getting enough rest boosts your mood, improves your energy, and sharpens your brain. People who had more disrupted sleep in their 30s and 40s were more than twice as likely to have problems with memory and thinking skills 10 years later, a January study found.

The “sweet spot” for restorative sleep is when you can sleep continuously through the four stages of sleep. 4-6 times each night. Each cycle is approximately 90 minutes long, so most people need 7 to 8 hours of relatively uninterrupted Z to achieve this goal.

Be sure to eat a healthier plant-based diet, such as the award-winning Mediterranean diet.

An August study found that instead of an inflammatory diet centered on red and processed meats, sugary cereals, ultra-processed foods such as soda, french fries, and ice cream, people should start eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet was found to reduce the risk of dementia by: 31%.

This benefit also applies to people diagnosed with cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

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An October 2018 study found that high levels of cortisol, the so-called stress hormone, are associated with damage to the parts of the brain that move and manage information. Another study published in March 2023 found that people with high stress levels were 37% more likely to experience cognitive decline.

Stress isn’t inherently bad, experts say, and adopting ways to view stressors as healthy challenges can help. Other strategies include getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and limiting the amount of time you spend following the news and participating in social media, the magazine said. world health organization. It can also help you stay connected to others and develop calming habits like meditation and deep breathing. But one of the most successful tools is physical activity.

If the only lifestyle change you can make is to focus on exercise, Freeman says. Adults should do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with strength training. According to the CDC. If you can’t sing because you have trouble breathing, but you can still talk, you know you’re getting enough exercise. Intense exercise such as jogging, swimming, or playing basketball can make it difficult to speak at all.

Research shows that increased activity benefits the entire body, including the brain. A September 2022 study found that people who walked at a very fast pace of 112 steps per minute for 30 minutes a day had a 62% lower risk of dementia.

Don’t have a pedometer? You can count your steps in 10 seconds and multiply by 6, or you can count your steps in 6 seconds and multiply by 10. Either method will work.