By Heart.org | Family Features Contributor
The same factors that elevate the risk of heart disease as the most prominent cause of death globally also play a role in the increasing incidence of brain diseases, such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
According to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2022 Update, the global mortality rate from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is escalating at a pace surpassing that of heart disease.
In 2020, over 54 million individuals were living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, marking a 37% rise since 2010 and a staggering 144% increase over the last three decades (1990-2020). Moreover, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were responsible for approximately 1.89 million deaths worldwide in 2020, in contrast to nearly 9 million fatalities attributed to heart disease.
“The rate at which brain disease is rising globally is rapidly outpacing that of heart disease,” stated Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D. M.S., FAHA, former president of the American Heart Association (2020-21), who also serves as a professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and an attending neurologist at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “We are uncovering more about the relation of certain types of dementia to aging and others to vascular health. It is increasingly clear that mitigating risk factors for vascular disease can significantly improve individuals’ chances of living longer, healthier lives free from both heart and brain ailments.”
“The rate at which brain disease is rising globally is rapidly outpacing that of heart disease.”
Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA
The statistics update reveals that individuals with hypertension in midlife are five times more likely to suffer cognitive impairment and almost twice as likely to experience diminished executive function, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the association between dementia and heart failure nearly doubles the risk.
Experts advise that maintaining a healthy weight, monitoring blood pressure, and adopting heart-healthy lifestyle choices can also foster good brain health. Research indicates that preserving vascular health is linked to healthy aging and maintained cognitive abilities.
Optimal brain health encompasses the ability to carry out various tasks, including movement, perception, memory, learning, communication, problem-solving, judgment, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Cognitive decline and dementia frequently manifest following strokes or cerebrovascular disorders, indicating a deterioration in brain health.
To promote a healthier lifestyle and protect both heart and brain health, consider the following steps:
- Refrain from smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Aim to reach and maintain a healthy weight, being mindful of food choices that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and added sugars.
- Engage in regular physical activity. Gradually increase activity levels to at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise (like brisk walking) each week, or opt for 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, or a blend of both, to enhance cardiovascular health.
- Regularly check your blood pressure and collaborate with your healthcare provider to manage it if elevated.
- Schedule routine medical examinations and adhere to medication guidelines.
- Work on stress reduction and seek emotional support when necessary.
Editor’s Note: For more information on the connection between heart health and brain health, visit heart.org.
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