#healthy #heart #protects #brain
“We know, that Cardiovascular diseases and mental decline have many risk factors together have,” says epidemiologist Jingkai Wei, assistant professor at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He is one of the authors of a paper published last year Studywhich showed: The higher the risk a person was in the next ten years of their life to suffer from heart disease, the worse she cut in mental performance tests away. This increased risk of heart disease is determined by factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight, comorbidities such as diabetes and lifestyle factors such as smoking and exercise habits.
The results suggest that every five percent increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease could be associated with poorer cognitive performance.
Also one very current Study confirms these findings: A better heart health in women middle aged (in her 40s) showed a slower decline in mental function over the next 20 years such as the speed in processing information or memory performance. The fact that in this study – in contrast to many others – this effect was only shown in women of African-American origin is probably due to the study design. The testing of the affected women’s cognitive performance began in their mid-40s, whereas in most other studies it was usually at least ten years later. This may have influenced the statistical significance in the subgroup of Caucasian women. The fact that the women were all recruited at only one study center and that much of the information was based on self-assessments could also have influenced the results.
That’s why the lead author of the study emphasizes with regard to all women: “Look at your heart and your brain will benefit”says Imke Janssen, professor of family and preventive medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “Better cardiovascular health in women in their 40s is importantone to prevent later Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and lead an independent life.”
One of the reasons for the connection: Both heart and brain vessels can narrow and harden due to pathological deposits. This not only promotes heart attacks and cerebral infarctions (strokes), the health of the blood vessels in the brain also influences mental performance.
“What’s good for the heart is also good for the brain”emphasizes Kristine Yaffe, professor at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences at the University of California, taking care of heart health is not only important for the heart, but also for the brain.
