Poor heart health linked to poor memory, learning deficits

People with heart disease are not only at a risk for kidney disease and stroke. Recent research has shown that they run the risk of developing cognitive impairment, especially learning and memory prob

By: Editorial Team | | Published: June 13, 2014 11:44 am

People with heart disease are not only at a risk for kidney disease and stroke. Recent research has shown that they run the risk of developing cognitive impairment, especially learning and memory problems too. Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

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Better cardiovascular health is more common in men and among people with higher education and income. The incidence of mental impairment was found more common in those with a lower income, who lived in the ‘stroke belt’ or had cardiovascular disease. Also Read - Researchers says pulse oximeters capable of reading BP too

‘Even when ideal cardiovascular health is not achieved, intermediate levels of cardiovascular health are preferable to low levels for better cognitive function,’ said lead investigator Evan L. Thacker, assistant professor at Brigham Young University, Utah. Cardiovascular health plays a critical role in brain health with several cardiovascular risk factors also playing a role in higher risk for cognitive decline. Researchers found that people with the lowest cardiovascular health scores were more likely to have impairment in learning, memory and verbal fluency tests than their counterparts with intermediate or better risk profiles. (Read: Beat multiple heart diseases now with one pill!)

The study involved 17,761 people aged 45 and older at the outset who had normal cognitive function and no history of stroke. Mental function was evaluated four years later. After accounting for differences in age, sex, race and education, researchers identified cognitive impairment in 4.6 percent of people with the worst cardiovascular health scores; 2.7 percent of those with intermediate health profiles; and 2.6 percent of those in the best cardiovascular health category. ‘This is an encouraging message because intermediate cardiovascular health is a more realistic target for many individuals than ideal cardiovascular health,’ Thacker noted.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

What is cardiovascular disease?

Heart and blood vessel disease is called cardiovascular disease or heart disease. It includes various problems that are directly related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition where there is a build up of plaque within the arteries leading to a block which reduces the size of the artery, this in turn reduces the amount of blood that flows through it. If the artery is completely blocked, it stops blood flow to the organ or muscle completely leading to the death of that part. In relation to the heart, atherosclerosis can lead to a heart attack. (Read: Heart disease types, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention)

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With inputs from IANS

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Published : June 13, 2014 11:44 am

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