A group of heart conditions which affect one in three Americans could be fueling a wave of dementia cases across the US, experts warn.
Experts at the American Heart Association said coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation prevent blood from properly flowing to the brain, leading to the death of brain cells and tissues.
As over 130million Americans suffer from some form of heart disease, the experts noted that preventing it early through diet and exercise could be key to stopping dementia, which plagues more than 7million Americans every year.
Experts from the American Heart Association warned that coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation raise the risk of dementia
Dr Fernando Testai, a professor of neurology and rehabilitation at the University of Illinois who worked on the statement, said: ‘Dementia is commonly seen as an incurable and relentless disease that cannot be prevented.
‘Evidence shows, however, that adopting a healthy lifestyle and identifying and treating vascular risk factors early may help preserve normal brain function and reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias.’
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In a paper published Thursday in the journal Stroke, the experts first named coronary artery disease as a dementia culprit.
Coronary artery disease is the most common heart condition in the US and the leading cause of death, accounting for one in four American deaths every year.
This occurs when plaque from excess cholesterol and fats build up in the arteries, causing them to narrow.
Over time, this reduces blood flow to the heart, as well as other organs like the brain.
That reduced blood flow then damages small blood vessels in the brain, depriving the brain of vital nutrients needed to sustain cognitive functions.
The experts estimated that coronary artery diseases raises the risk of dementia by 27 percent compared to those without heart disease.
They also pointed to heart failure, which affects 6million Americans and occurs when the heart becomes too weak to pump enough blood.
They suggested that up to eight in 10 people with heart failure could have some form of cognitive decline, including dementia, that impacts their memory, language, or ability to think or plan.
Dr Testai told CNN that conditions leading to heart failure, such as diabetes and coronary artery disease, ‘can increase the levels of beta-amyloid in the brain, [a [protein] which is recognized as a key marker of Alzheimer’s disease.’
The third condition the experts pointed toward was atrial fibrillation, also known as A-fib. The condition, suffered by celebrities like President Joe Biden and Miley Cyrus, results in an irregular heartbeat that patients have described as a ‘flutter’ in their chest.
The above shows the rate of heart disease deaths by county in the United States from 2018 to 2020
Affecting anywhere from 3million to 6million Americans at any given time, rates of the condition are growing. Experts estimate that by 2050, up to 16million Americans will have A-fib.
The team noted that A-fib could be linked to dementias via cerebral microhemorrhages, or small brain bleeds, which could lead to a stroke.
They estimated that people with A-fib have a 39 percent increased risk of memory of thinking problems compared to those who don’t have the condition.
Dr Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver, told CNN: ‘This call to action is especially critical right now because so many Americans have some form of heart disease and people are getting sicker and sicker earlier in life.’
The physician, who was not involved in the paper, also said that adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle should start early in life, even before a baby is born.
This includes focusing on anti-inflammatory nutrients popularized by the Mediterranean diet, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and olive oil.
Additionally, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, per week.
This could also lower the risk of dementia. A 2022 study, for example, found that people who walked at a brisk pace for 30 minutes a day lowered their dementia risk by 62 percent.
Dr Freeman said: ‘Physical activity is just absolutely magnificent.
‘And when if you blend that with eating a more plant-based diet, de-stressing, sleeping enough and connecting with others — that’s your magic recipe. It’s the fountain of youth, if you will.’
