Contributors’ Insight
By zp7op | Contributor
The Link Between Heart Disease and Brain Disease
The contributing factors to heart disease being the foremost cause of death globally also play a significant role in the increasing occurrence of brain diseases, such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
As per the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2022 Update, the international death rate from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types is rising at a faster pace than that of heart disease.
In 2020, over 54 million individuals worldwide were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, reflecting a 37% increase since 2010 and a staggering 144% surge over the last three decades (1990-2020). Moreover, approximately 1.89 million fatalities were linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias globally in 2020, in contrast to nearly 9 million deaths caused by heart disease.
Expert Opinions on Brain Disease Trends
“The global rate of brain disease is quickly outpacing heart disease,” remarked Dr. Mitchell S.V. Elkind, who served as president of the American Heart Association (2020-21) and is a professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as an attending neurologist at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “We are gaining insight into how certain dementia types are linked to aging, while other types may stem from poor vascular health. It is becoming increasingly clear that mitigating vascular disease risk factors can significantly enhance the chances of leading longer, healthier lives, free from both heart disease and brain disease.”
Understanding Hypertension and Dementia Risk
The statistics update indicates that individuals experiencing midlife hypertension are five times more likely to suffer from global cognitive impairments and approximately twice as likely to encounter diminished executive function, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The risk for dementia related to heart failure is nearly doubled.
Promoting Heart and Brain Health
Experts advise individuals to maintain a healthy weight, manage blood pressure, and adopt other heart-healthy habits that also support brain health. Research suggests that preserving good vascular health correlates with healthy aging and sustained cognitive function.
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 disorders, indicating compromised brain health.
Steps for a Healthier Lifestyle
Consider implementing the following measures to enhance your lifestyle and safeguard both your heart and brain health:
– Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
– Attain and maintain a healthy weight. Be conscious of your dietary choices; opt for foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars.
– Engage in regular physical activity. Begin gradually and aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) weekly, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, or any combination of both for improved cardiovascular wellness.
– Have your blood pressure monitored regularly and collaborate with your healthcare team to manage it if it’s elevated.
– Schedule regular medical checkups and adhere to prescribed medications.
– Lower stress levels and seek emotional support when necessary.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
