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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Longitudinal cognitive performance in older adults with cardiovascular disease: evidence for improvement in heart

Kelly M Stanek1, John Gunstad, Robert H Paul

  • 1Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA. kstanek@kent.edu

The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|April 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Older adults with heart failure (HF) showed modest cognitive improvements over 12 months, unlike those with other cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This suggests cognitive function in HF may be modifiable, potentially linked to blood pressure control.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially heart failure (HF), is linked to cognitive impairment in older adults.
  • Longitudinal cognitive changes in CVD patients, particularly those with HF, remain under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively evaluate cognitive function progression in older adults with HF compared to other CVDs.
  • To identify potential factors influencing cognitive changes in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-five older adults with CVD were assessed using Doppler echocardiogram and the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) at baseline and 12 months.
  • Cognitive function was measured globally and across specific domains like attention and executive function.

Main Results:

  • Patients with HF demonstrated significant improvements in global cognitive function (DRS scores) over 12 months.
  • Cognitive function remained stable in patients with other forms of CVD.
  • Improvements in HF patients were noted in attention, initiation/perseveration, and conceptualization subscales.

Conclusions:

  • Heart failure patients experienced modest cognitive gains, particularly in attention and executive functions, over a year.
  • Higher baseline diastolic blood pressure correlated with improved cognitive performance in HF patients.
  • These findings suggest cognitive impairment in HF may be reversible, with blood pressure management being a potential therapeutic target.
Abstract

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