Many studies have pointed to the complex relationship between heart disease and cognitive decline. Specifically, common cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease all contribute to cognitive decline and memory loss. Therefore, taking care of cardiovascular health is extremely important in determining whether heart disease will affect memory.
Why do heart diseases increase the risk of memory loss?
According to professor of neurology and rehabilitation, Dr. Fernando D. Testai at the University of Illinois, “The fate of the heart and the brain is closely linked.” Heart disease affects memory by increasing the risk of stroke or reducing blood flow, as seen in those with heart failure. Conversely, strokes in specific neural regions can lead to heart abnormalities, such as arrhythmias.
Scientists have also explored the many ways in which three of the most common heart diseases—heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease—affect cognitive decline and memory loss.
Nearly half of adults in the United States (130 million people) have some form of cardiovascular disease. According to reports, approximately 43% of those with heart failure experience cognitive decline, including reduced attention, slower speech, slower information processing, and decreased memory. Meanwhile, evidence also suggests that people with atrial fibrillation are 39% more likely to develop cognitive problems.
Coronary artery disease raises the risk of dementia by 27%, and after a heart attack, up to 50% of patients may experience cognitive decline. While the mechanism explaining how heart health affects cognition is complex and not fully understood, the American Heart Association (AHA) has stated how some common heart diseases contribute to this.
Memory loss and plaque in the arteries
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronary artery disease, a condition where plaque accumulates in the arteries, is the leading cause of death worldwide. WHO reports that deaths from coronary artery disease have increased from 6.4 million in 2000 to 9.1 million in 2021.
This disease also affects the brain. The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that narrowing arteries from coronary artery disease and high blood pressure can reduce blood flow, damaging small blood vessels in the brain and leading to memory loss in people with heart disease. High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes can also reduce blood flow to the brain and increase inflammation, contributing to cognitive decline and dementia.
People with coronary artery disease are 27% more likely to develop dementia compared to those without heart disease. This disease can begin in the 40s and 50s, often without clear symptoms warning the patient about the severity of the condition.
Heart attack and heart failure
Does heart disease cause memory loss? According to estimates from the American Heart Association (AHA), approximately every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. After this occurs, up to 50% of survivors may experience brain function loss, with some experiencing more severe memory loss related to their heart disease.
Heart failure is a more severe form of heart disease in which the heart is too weak to pump enough blood and oxygen to the body’s organs. Studies have shown that up to 81% of those with heart failure may experience cognitive decline in various forms, affecting memory, language, or their ability to think and plan.
According to Dr. Fernando D. Testai, vascular risk factors related to heart diseases, such as diabetes, can increase the levels of beta-amyloid in the brain—the primary marker of Alzheimer’s disease. In turn, beta-amyloid has been found in the heart and is linked to heart dysfunction. These findings suggest a biochemical link between the heart and the brain.
Atrial fibrillation and dementia
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat often described by those who have it as a “fluttering” or “shaking” of the heart in the chest. Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of stroke in the United States. Moreover, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strokes associated with atrial fibrillation tend to be “more severe than strokes caused by other underlying conditions.”
According to a new scientific statement, a condition called microbleeding, which involves small brain hemorrhages, can lead to more frequent memory loss in people with heart disease, especially those with atrial fibrillation. In fact, people with atrial fibrillation are 39% more likely to experience memory or cognitive issues. The rate of atrial fibrillation in the United States is increasing, with estimates suggesting that up to 16 million people will have atrial fibrillation by 2050.
The effects of cardiovascular health care on improving memory
Lifestyle habits can affect the aging process
In a new study, Dr. Jiantao Ma, senior research author and associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and his research team analyzed data from over 5,600 participants enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study, which has collected data since 1948. The average age of participants was 56. The study participants were tracked for 11 to 14 years, and the researchers recorded any instances of cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular-related deaths, or deaths from any cause.
They found that for each 13-point increase in a person’s Life’s Essential 8 score, the risk of cardiovascular disease decreased by 35%, cardiovascular-related death decreased by 36%, and the risk of death from any cause decreased by 29%. Among those genetically predisposed to rapid aging, these reductions were even more significant: those in this group saw a 39% reduction in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular-related death, and a 78% reduction in death from any cause.
These findings support the idea that lifestyle factors can influence a person’s biological age, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
Learning more about biological age and health
The results of this study suggest that individuals undergoing rapid aging may experience even greater health benefits from living a heart-healthy lifestyle.
“There is much interest in biological aging and its connection to longevity, and scientists are examining our genes and the changes they undergo due to unhealthy lifestyles,” Dr. Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and clinical associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, told Health.
This new study builds upon previous work showing that “cellular aging makes a person more susceptible to heart disease and other metabolic cardiovascular conditions. The aging process affects blood vessels, making them more prone to cholesterol buildup in arteries, causing metabolic changes.”
Key considerations in cardiovascular care
A new statement from the American Heart Association highlights the importance of cardiovascular health care as a risk factor for memory loss in people with heart disease. Common heart diseases, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease, have all been shown to significantly increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Starting cardiovascular health care early, even before adulthood, becomes even more crucial when considering the potential long-term impacts on brain health.
Focusing on lifestyle changes
Modern medicine offers excellent medications, such as statins and cholesterol-lowering drugs, that can prevent or slow heart disease, especially when detected early. Regular health checkups and consistent medication use are vital for achieving this.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), actively managing high blood pressure has shown promise in reducing mild memory decline in people with heart disease but not dementia.
Prioritizing sleep
Getting adequate rest improves mood, boosts energy, sharpens the mind, and slows memory decline in people with heart disease. A January study found that individuals with disrupted sleep in their 30s and 40s were twice as likely to experience memory and cognitive problems a decade later.
Restorative sleep means being able to sleep continuously through the four stages of sleep four to six times each night. Since each cycle lasts about 90 minutes, most people need seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep to achieve this goal.
Focusing on nutrition
A recent study found that eating an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, rather than a diet high in red meat, processed meats, and ultra-processed foods like sugary cereals, sodas, chips, and ice cream, reduced the risk of dementia by 31%.
This diet also helps reduce memory loss in people with heart disease, particularly those with metabolic cardiovascular conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Reducing stress
A study from October 2018 found that high cortisol levels, or stress hormones, are associated with damage to the brain regions that handle movement and information management. Another study published in March 2023 found that people with high stress levels were 37% more likely to experience cognitive decline.
Adopting stress-reducing strategies is essential to decreasing memory loss in people with heart disease. According to the World Health Organization, other methods include getting adequate sleep, eating healthy foods, and limiting time spent watching the news or on social media. Other stress-reducing strategies include maintaining connections with others and practicing calming methods such as meditation, deep breathing, or physical activity.
Regular and consistent exercise
Regular and consistent exercise is key to reducing memory decline in people with heart disease. Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, along with strength training.
Studies have shown that increasing activity benefits the whole body, including the brain. A September 2022 study found that those who walked at a brisk pace of 112 steps per minute for 30 minutes each day reduced their risk of dementia by 62%.
In conclusion, this article demonstrates that common heart diseases increase the risk of memory loss, the effects of cardiovascular health care, and ways to reduce memory decline in people with heart disease. If heart disease is causing memory issues, it is essential to see a doctor for proper advice and treatment.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/heart-health-dementia-prevention
- https://www.health.com/heart-healthy-lifestyle-slow-biological-aging-8658442
- https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/10/health/heart-dementia-risk-wellness/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc
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