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The Rising Risk of Brain Disease
The same risk factors that make heart disease the leading cause of death globally also contribute to the increasing prevalence of brain diseases, such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease on the Rise
According to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2022 Update, the global death rate from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is rising at a faster pace than the death rate from heart disease. In 2020, over 54 million individuals were affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, reflecting a 37% increase since 2010 and a staggering 144% rise over the last 30 years (1990-2020). In that year, more than 1.89 million deaths were attributed to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, in contrast to nearly 9 million deaths caused by heart disease.
Experts Weigh In
“The global rate of brain disease is quickly outpacing heart disease,” stated Dr. Mitchell S.V. Elkind, past president of the American Heart Association (2020-21), and a professor at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “We are learning more about how certain types of dementia relate to aging, and how others stem from poor vascular health. It is becoming clearer that addressing vascular disease risk factors can significantly impact longevity and health, reducing both heart and brain disease.”
Impact of Hypertension
The statistics update revealed that individuals with hypertension in midlife had a fivefold increase in the likelihood of cognitive impairments and were nearly twice as prone to experiencing diminished executive function, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the risk of dementia in those with heart failure was almost doubled.
Recommendations for Brain and Heart Health
Experts advise maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure, and adopting other heart-healthy lifestyle practices that also benefit brain health. Research indicates that good vascular health is associated with successful aging and cognitive preservation.
Optimal brain health encompasses abilities such as movement, perception, learning, memory, communication, problem-solving, judgment, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Cognitive decline and dementia frequently follow strokes or cerebrovascular issues, indicating reduced brain health.
Steps Towards a Healthier Lifestyle
Consider these suggestions to enhance your lifestyle and safeguard both your heart and brain health:
– Avoid smoking and protect yourself from secondhand smoke.
– Aim to reach and maintain a healthy weight by being conscious of your diet; consume foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and added sugars.
– Engage in physical activity regularly. Start gradually, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking) each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a mix of both, to enhance cardiovascular health.
– Regularly monitor your blood pressure and collaborate with health professionals to manage it if it is elevated.
– Attend medical checkups consistently and adhere to prescribed medications.
– Manage stress effectively and seek emotional support when necessary.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
