A new study underscores the critical link between cardiovascular health (CVH) and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Research from the American Heart Association has found that individuals who maintain optimal cardiovascular health exhibit a slower rate of cognitive decline and a lower risk of developing these debilitating conditions.
The Life’s Simple 7, a seven-item tool developed by the American Heart Association, aims to improve CVH by promoting better physical fitness, diet, and lifestyle choices. This includes maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI), managing diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, and avoiding smoking. A higher score on Life’s Simple 7 indicates better cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
Interestingly, cardiovascular health and neurodegenerative diseases share many common risk factors, including hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and smoking. By optimizing cardiovascular health, individuals can potentially slow cognitive decline and lower the risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s.
This study, part of the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP), investigates how cardiovascular health affects biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative processes, specifically neurofilament light chain (NfL) and total tau (t-tau), over a 10-year period. The study followed 10,802 Black and White individuals aged 65 and older. Participants’ health data, including serum samples, were collected every three years from 1993 to 2012.
Researchers focused on 5,470 participants who agreed to provide serum samples. Of these, 1,327 samples were selected to measure NfL and t-tau levels, biomarkers linked to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
The study found that individuals with higher cardiovascular health scores had significantly lower levels of NfL. A one-point increase in the CVH score was associated with lower serum levels of NfL, which is a biomarker of neurodegeneration. This correlation was especially pronounced in individuals who carried the apolipoprotein e4 (APOE e4) allele, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
Interestingly, no link was found between CVH scores and serum t-tau concentrations. However, participants with higher CVH scores exhibited a slower annual increase in NfL levels, suggesting that better heart health slows brain aging.
This research highlights the importance of maintaining cardiovascular health, particularly for older adults and those with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease. The study’s findings suggest that improved cardiovascular health can help delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and may be especially beneficial for Black adults, who are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases.
In conclusion, older individuals who maintain better cardiovascular health not only protect their heart but also promote brain health. The study reinforces the value of a holistic approach to health that prioritizes both heart and brain, with potential long-term benefits in reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Related topics:
- Rising Parkinson’S Disease Rates And Early Warning Signs To Watch For
- L’Oreal Recalls La Roche-Posay Acne Treatment Over Cancer Risk From Benzene
- Parenthood Could Help Keep Your Brain Young, New Study Finds
