These heart issues could be early indicators of dementia risk

What is dementia?

Dementia is a term for the general loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that severely interfere with daily life. 

How many adults in the US have some form of heart disease?

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), almost 130 million adults in the United States have some form of heart disease.

Why is this a problem?

Most Americans spend their whole lives working and forget to take care of their health and wellness. In return, they are getting sicker earlier in life.

How many deaths from coronary artery disease are there?

According to the World Health Organization, coronary artery-related deaths rose from 6.4 million in 2000 to 9.1 million in 2021.

What else can lead to dementia?

Cognitive decline and dementia can also happen when high blood pressure and type two diabetes reduce blood flow to the brain and subsequently increase inflammation.

When can heart disease start?

Heart disease can even start when a person is in their forties and fifties. There are often no visible symptoms to alert a person of the danger.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure is more severe than heart disease. It's where the heart is too weak to pump the amount of blood and oxygen needed by the body's organs. 

Recent research

Risk factors linked to cardiac diseases, such as diabetes, can elevate levels of beta-amyloid in the brain, a key marker associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

What is A-fib?

Atrial fibrillation or A-fib is when the heartbeat is irregular. It is often described by people who have it as a “quiver,” “flutter” or “flip-flop” of the heart inside their chest.

Microhemorrhages

According to a new scientific statement, microhemorrhages or small brain bleeds are more common in people with atrial fibrillation and can lead to cognitive decline.

Can medicine help you boost brain health?

While modern medicine can have some impressive results there are still limits to all that it can accomplish. According to the AHA, treating blood pressure has shown some promise in the reduction of mild cognitive impairment but not dementia.

How much sleep should you get each night?

Seven to eight hours is generally the recommended amount of sleep a person should get in one night. Each of the four stages of sleep happens about four to six times a night and lasts about 90 minutes each.

Mediterranean diet

A study found that eating an anti-inflammatory diet of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables instead of a more inflammatory diet with red and processed meats and ultra-processed foods can help lower the risk of dementia by 31%.

Studies

Another tip is to reduce cortisol, or the so-called stress hormone, in your life. According to a 2023 study, people with elevated stress levels were 37% more likely to have poor cognitive abilities.

Activity

Adults should do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity alongside some strength training.