Summary
Fresh evidence from France suggests that favourable cardiovascular health metrics – measured using the American Heart Association (AHA)’s Life’s Simple 7 Metrics tool – and higher cardiovascular health scores, are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia and lower rates of cognitive decline.
“What’s interesting is that the people in this study were aged 65 and older, suggesting that even at this age adopting healthy behaviours could have beneficial effects”.
Reference
Study confirms that keeping the heart healthy also reduces dementia risk. London: NHS Choices; Behind the Headlines, August 22nd 2018.
This relates to:
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Reference
Samieri, C. Perier, MC. [and] Gaye, B. [et al] (2018). Association of cardiovascular health level in older age with cognitive decline and incident dementia. JAMA. August 21st 2018; 320(7): pp.657-664.
A related editorial:
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Reference
Saver, JL. [and] Cushman, M. (2018). Striving for ideal cardiovascular and brain health: it is never too early or too late. JAMA. August 21st 2018; 320(7): pp.645-647.
Possibly also of interest, on the “never too early” front:
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Reference
Williamson, W. Lewandowski, AJ. [and] Forkert, ND. [et al] (2018). Association of cardiovascular risk factors with MRI indices of cerebrovascular structure and function and white matter hyperintensities in young adults. JAMA. August 21st 2018; 320(7): pp.665-673.