Your Brain May Slow Down Years Before a Heart Attack or Stroke
Based on: Cognitive Decline Preceding Incident Cardiovascular Events in Older Adults.
In older adults, thinking skills started declining 3 to 8 years before they had a major cardiovascular event like a stroke or heart failure. The drops showed up in memory, processing speed, and verbal fluency compared to people who stayed healthy. This hints that heart disease and brain aging share deep roots, and subtle cognitive changes might be an early warning sign.
Key Insight
This study suggests unexplained cognitive changes in older adults may warrant a closer look at heart health.
Original Paper
Vishwanath S, Wu Z, Tonkin A, Cloud GC, Hopper I, Orchard SG, Wolfe R, Shah RC, Zhou Z, Murray A, Woods RL, Nelson MR, Stocks N, Reid CM, Venkataraman P, Abhayaratna WP, Donnan GA, Eaton CB, Williamson JD, Ernst ME, Ryan J
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Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.