Impact of mid-life cardiovascular health on cognitive change in a bi-ethnic cohort

Vascular risk factors contribute to cognitive decline and dementia; however, research across populations remains scarce.

We included 402 participants (mean age 57.9±3.8, 58.5% female, 52% Mexican American). Midlife cardiovascular health was assessed using the AHA Life's Simple 7 (LS7). General cognition was measured four times over a period of 9.5 years. We used generalized estimating equations to assess the association of LS7 scores and its factors with cognitive change, overall and by ethnicity.

Meeting intermediate or ideal physical activity goals mitigated cognitive decline, particularly in Mexican Americans, and maintaining blood glucose below 125 mg/dL was associated with slower cognitive decline among non-Hispanic Whites. Additionally, Mexican Americans with a BMI <30 kg/m² showed an accelerated cognitive decline. No associations were observed between total LS7 scores and cognitive decline.

Physical activity, blood glucose, and BMI have distinct contributions to cognitive change across different ethnicities.