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Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Cognition in the Elderly

Elizabeth C Leritz1, Regina E McGlinchey, Ida Kellison

  • 1Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC).

Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports
|December 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease risk factors like high blood pressure and diabetes are linked to cognitive decline and brain changes, even at subclinical levels. Early screening for these factors in older adults is crucial to prevent further cognitive impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a known cause of cognitive decline.
  • Emerging evidence links CVD risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity) to brain structure and cognitive alterations.
  • These risk factors and associated cognitive changes are prevalent in aging populations and often attributed to normal aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the association between subclinical CVD risk factors and cognitive changes.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering CVD risk factors in the elderly.
  • To advocate for routine cognitive screenings in individuals with CVD risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature on cardiovascular disease risk factors and their impact on cognition.
  • It analyzes the prevalence of CVD risk factors in aging populations.
  • It discusses the observed cognitive changes associated with both clinical and subclinical CVD risk levels.

Main Results:

  • CVD risk factors are associated with significant alterations in brain structure and cognitive function.
  • Cognitive changes linked to CVD risk factors occur even at subclinical levels.
  • These changes can interfere with daily functioning and may precede overt CVD or dementia.

Conclusions:

  • CVD risk factors significantly impact cognitive health in the elderly.
  • Cognitive decline associated with CVD risk factors is often overlooked and misattributed to normal aging.
  • Routine cognitive screening is recommended for elderly individuals with CVD risk factors to enable timely intervention and prevent severe outcomes like dementia.

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