Heart attack survivors have a new problem, as researchers find a link between heart attacks and rapid cognitive decline.
Recovery from a heart attack often includes lifestyle changes to protect the heart. But researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine added an alarming new note. They found that people who survived heart attacks had accelerated cognitive decline in later years compared to their healthier peers. However, New Atlas writes that the catalysts for this process have not been identified.
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Scientists conducted a large-scale study examining the relationship between heart and cognitive health. They carefully reviewed the medical records of 30,465 heart attack survivors who were rated respectively for cognitive ability. Data collected from 1971 to 2019 and followed for an average of 6 years showed a sharp decline in cognitive abilities in this group, more than would be expected in the general aging population.
Surprisingly, this decline in cognition, memory, and executive function—three key signs in this study—did not appear immediately after a heart attack. On the contrary, they have become more pronounced over time. Despite individual differences for each marker, overall cognitive decline was similar to six to 13 years of early cognitive aging.
Professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Michel Johansen urges the public to tackle risk factors such as hypertension and high cholesterol as early as possible, in light of the widespread risk of heart attacks. His studies prove that heart attacks can increase the likelihood of developing cognitive and memory impairments later in life.
Although the relationship between heart and brain health has caught the attention of researchers, the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain a mystery. Some scientists who responded to the study suggested several potential culprits for cognitive decline. These include ischemic cardiomyopathy, irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation (which has been linked to dementia) after a heart attack, chronic inflammation, and depression, a condition that is more common in people who have had a heart attack and have also had a heart attack. linked to dementia.
These scientists recommend further studies using neuroimaging to test for white matter hyperintensity, cerebral blood flow and regional brain atrophy in people who have had a heart attack.
The Johns Hopkins team’s future research agenda includes a broader study of the impact of heart health on brain function. They hope their results will allow doctors to warn at-risk patients of the broad health consequences associated with the development of heart disease.
“We have shown that preventing heart attacks can be a viable strategy for maintaining brain health in older people. The next step for us will be to find the exact cause of cognitive decline over time,” said Johansen.
Previously Focus wrote about the strong foundation of the entire cardiovascular system. A new study has found a link between strong leg muscles and a reduced risk of heart failure after a heart attack.
Important! This article is based on and does not contradict the latest scientific and medical research. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. Be sure to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.