Cardiac Contributions to Brain Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Area of Science:

• Neurology and Cardiology
• Public Health
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Neurologic diseases like stroke and dementia pose a growing global health challenge.
• Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
• Emerging evidence highlights the interdependence of heart and brain health through shared risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the pathogenic mechanisms linking prevalent adult cardiac diseases to cognitive impairment.
• To build upon previous statements focusing on cardiac disease and stroke.
• To emphasize the link between cardiovascular health and brain health across the lifespan.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on the association between cardiac conditions and cognitive function.
• Analysis of pathogenic mechanisms connecting heart disease to brain changes.
• Focus on heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease.

Main Results:

• Cardiac conditions are associated with covert brain microstructural changes and cognitive impairment.
• Shared risk factors link cardiovascular and neurologic diseases.
• The heart and brain are interdependent organ systems.

Conclusions:

• Addressing cardiovascular health proactively may reduce the risk of stroke and cognitive decline.
• Understanding the link between cardiac diseases and cognitive impairment is vital for public health.
• Interventions targeting cardiovascular health could promote long-term brain health.