Heart-Brain Axis: Subclinical Cardiovascular Changes and Brain Health

Complex bidirectional interactions between the nervous and cardiovascular systems are integrated through the heart-brain axis, a physiological pathway that governs both neural regulation of cardiovascular function and cardiovascular influences on brain health. Emerging evidence indicates that even in the absence of overt disease, subclinical changes in the heart, aortic arch, and extracranial arteries contribute to brain injury and cognitive vulnerability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how subclinical heart-brain axis dysfunction affects brain structure and function, highlighting the roles of central and autonomic neural pathways as well as hormonal signaling in driving neurological decline. Key biomarkers linked to silent brain injury, cognitive decline, and dementia are discussed, emphasizing their potential for early risk stratification and as targets for preventive interventions. We also outline mechanistic pathways connecting subclinical heart-brain axis dysfunction to adverse brain outcomes, identify major gaps in current evidence, and propose priorities for future research and clinical trials aimed at early detection and risk reduction to preserve brain health.