According to several studies, frequent heart diseases – hypertension, coronary heart disease – increase the risk of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
“Dementia is commonly seen as an incurable and relentless disease that cannot be prevented,” Dr. Fernando Testai, professor of neurology and rehabilitation at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, said in a statement.
“However, evidence shows that adopting a healthy lifestyle, identifying and eliminating vascular risk factors, and treatment can help maintain normal brain function and reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias,” explains Dr. Testai, quoted by CNN.
Nearly 130 million adults in the United States have some form of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Adopting a healthy lifestyle should start even before a child is born, points out Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of prevention and cardiovascular health at National Jewish Health in Denver.
This call comes at a time when many Americans, increasingly younger, have some form of heart disease, said Dr. Freeman, who was not involved in drafting the statement. AHA.
Dr. Freeman refers to the way many Americans live: they work all their lives, save money until retirement, which often comes with heart attacks, strokes, dementia. That is, with diseases that, according to Dr. Freeman, could be avoided if lifestyle changes were made while still young.
Coronary artery disease and hypertension
Coronary heart disease, which involves the accumulation of atheromatous plaques in the arteries, is the leading killer globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The number of deaths caused by coronary heart disease increased from 6.4 million in 2000 to 9.1 million in 2021, the WHO points out.
Narrowing of the arteries, which occurs in coronary heart disease and high blood pressure, can reduce blood flow and cause damage to the small blood vessels in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment, the AHA warns.
Having coronary artery disease increases the risk of dementia by 27 percent compared to people without heart disease, the AHA statement said. Dementia can set in in people between the ages of 40 and 50, often without visible symptoms.
Heart attacks and heart failure
About every 40 seconds, someone in the United States will have a heart attack, the AHA estimates. After a heart attack, up to 50 percent of people who survive experience impaired brain function, and others are marked by severe cognitive impairment, the AHA statement said.
According to the latest evidence, up to 81% of people with heart failure may have some form of cognitive decline, affecting their memory, language or ability to think and plan.
“Your magic recipe”
To prevent or delay heart disease, Dr. Freeman recommends regular checkups and adherence to prescribed treatments. Dr. Freeman says a balanced lifestyle is key to protecting heart health and, by extension, brain health. That means restful sleep, adopting the Mediterranean diet and avoiding red meat, ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks. A recent study shows that an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce the risk of dementia by 31%. Dr. Freeman also recommends keeping stress under control. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol have been associated with damage to important areas of the brain, an October 2018 study finds. Dr. Freeman advises us to stay connected with others and adopt relaxation practices such as meditation and techniques of deep breathing. And one more recommendation from Dr. Freeman: daily exercise. Regarding the benefits of exercise, Dr. Freeman cites a 2022 study that found people who walked at a brisk pace of 112 steps per minute for 30 minutes daily reduced their risk of dementia by 62 %.
Physical activity is just absolutely magnificent,” Dr. Freeman tells CNN. “If you combine physical activity with a plant-based diet, eliminate stress, get enough sleep, and connect with others,” That’s your magic recipe. It’s the fountain of youth, if you will,” concludes Dr. Freeman.
Heart Health and Dementia: The Unexpected Connection
Ah, heart disease and dementia—a match made in… well, let’s just say it’s not quite the romantic getaway we all hoped for. According to several studies, frequent heart diseases like hypertension and coronary artery disease significantly increase the risk of dementia, particularly the infamous Alzheimer’s disease. And here I thought the worst heartache was getting dumped!
The Grim Reality
“Dementia is commonly seen as an incurable and relentless disease that cannot be prevented,” observes Dr. Fernando Testai, brain guru at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. You’d think that kind of bad news would come with a warning label. But fear not! Dr. Testai sheds a glimmer of hope by stating that a healthy lifestyle, identifying those pesky vascular risk factors, and timely treatment can help keep our brains as sharp as our wits. Talk about nutritional ninja moves!
The Stats Are Scary
Did you know nearly 130 million—yes, you read that right—adults in the United States have some form of heart disease? That’s a staggering statistic, even scarier than watching Jimmy Carr tell a joke on a bad day! According to the American Heart Association (AHA), adopting a healthy lifestyle should start before baby even pops out. Dr. Andrew Freeman, superhero director of prevention and cardiovascular health, warns that many Americans are signing up for heart disease at a surprisingly young age. That’s like ordering the unsweetened iced tea before you’ve even had a sip of sweet lemonade!
Living Life Backward
Dr. Freeman makes a point that resonates deeply: many folks hustle all their lives, save every penny until retirement—only to be greeted by heart attacks and strokes. It’s like prepping for a road trip and forgetting to fill up the gas tank! If only we took a note from our youthful, carefree days instead of shuffling into retirement with a lifetime’s worth of bad habits.
Coronary Artery Disease: A Killer Without a Conscience
Coronary heart disease isn’t just globally recognized as the leading killer; it’s practically wearing a T-shirt that says, “I heart disease!” According to the World Health Organization, deaths from coronary heart disease skyrocketed from 6.4 million in 2000 to a staggering 9.1 million in 2021! So, if diet and exercise are in your vocabulary, it’s time to stop running on empty—or should I say, running on cheeseburgers?
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The AHA states that having coronary artery disease ups your risk of dementia by a whopping 27 percent! And guess what? Dementia can creep in as early as age 40 or 50. It’s like a surprise party you definitely didn’t want to be invited to—especially when there are no visible symptoms. This isn’t just a party crasher; it’s a full-blown crash!
Heart Attacks: The Regular Occurrence
Rounding the corner, every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. is rolling into the emergency room after a heart attack. It’s the kind of timing that would make a late-night comedian blush! After a heart attack, an alarming 50% of survivors experience impaired brain function. And if you’re lucky enough to dodge that bullet but not keep your heart in shape, up to 81% of those with heart failure might still find their cognitive abilities on a decline, affecting everything from memory to the ability to put on their socks in the morning. Talk about a brain freeze!
The Golden Rules to Avoid a Brain Drain
Dr. Freeman rolls out what he calls “your magic recipe” for heart and brain health. Regular checkups and sticking to prescribed treatments should be at the top of your list. What’s next? Adopt a balanced lifestyle, rich with restful sleep, a Mediterranean diet (who knew olives could save your brain?), and a hard pass on red meat, ultra-processed foods, and sugary drinks.
The Fountain of Youth Recipe
Dr. Freeman promotes stress management like it’s a coveted art form. Think of it like taking deep breaths and shaking off the chaos—who wouldn’t want to be carefree and connected with others? Want to get fitter? Here’s a kicker: According to a 2022 study, brisk walking just 30 minutes a day at a pace of 112 steps per minute can cut your risk of dementia by 62%! Now that’s motivation I can get behind!
Connection Over Isolation
So, what’s the final takeaway from our medical magicians? Mix physical activity with a plant-based diet, stamp out stress, get enough sleep, and keep those social connections alive. It’s your very own fountain of youth—just without the mythological hoo-ha! Why settle for just looking good on the outside when you can have both your heart and brain humming along?
The Bottom Line
It’s time we wake up and start treating our hearts and brains like the powerhouses they are. Because let’s face it; life is less fun when you forget where you left your keys and have to keep explaining to people, “I swear I put them right here!”
Now, go on, live, laugh, love, and maybe toss in a few vegetables while you’re at it. Your heart—and your brain—will thank you! 🍏💚
