Just 2 months ago, I commented on a study linking heart disease to stroke risk. Well, in a
cross-sectional study published early online last week prior to print next month in Stroke, the authors concluded that
cardiovascular risk was linked to worse cognitive function. What's surprising in this analysis of data from 3,778 participants 35-82yo w/avg 54yo w/o baseline heart disease or stroke that this association was found as early or young as in the 35-44yo class.
While we normally think of dementia as a disease of the elderly, it would appear that our heart health is related to our brain health. When you think about this, it makes sense because both the heart and the brain require adequate blood flow, which can be affected by age, gender, diabetes, tobacco use, blood pressure (and use of BP lowering medications), and total & HDL cholesterol. Of these factors, age, diabetes, smoking & HDL cholesterol had the strongest link to cognitive function.
So don't wait for the inevitable. Take charge of your life now. Choose to eat right & get active. Stop smoking. And optimize your sugar, blood pressure & cholesterol. Investing in your health now will pay major dividends later on.
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