New research reveals that older adults who maintain strong cardiovascular health show fewer signs of brain degeneration—offering hope for preventing dementia and Alzheimer's through heart-smart living. Study: Cardiovascular Health and Biomarkers of Neurodegenerative Disease in Older Adults . Image Credit: crystal light / Shutterstock.
com A recent JAMA Network Open study investigates the association between cardiovascular health (CVH) and biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease. The role of CVH in neurodegenerative disease risk The American Heart Association developed Life’s Simple 7, a seven-item tool to support CVH in the general population by improving physical fitness and diet quality, maintaining a normal body mass index (BMI), and managing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Individuals with a higher Life’s Simple 7 score exhibit optimal CVH and are at a reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
CVDs and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease share several common risk factors, some of which include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and cigarette smoking. Comparatively, optimal CVH may reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases by slowing the rate of cognitive decline and reducing white matter hyperintensity volumes. About the study The current study investigates whether CVH influences several biomarkers of neurodegenerative processes, including serum levels of neurofilament light chain (.
