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Published on: September 26, 2018

Impact of risk factor burden and vascular bed involvement on dementia risk in individuals with established

Jan F de Leijer1, Geert Jan Biessels2, Frank L J Visseren1

  • 1Department of Vascular Medicine & Endocrinology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

American Journal of Preventive Cardiology
|July 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor burden and more affected vascular beds increase dementia risk in individuals with established CVD. Managing CVD risk factors is crucial for lowering dementia risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant global health concern.
  • Dementia poses a growing challenge, particularly in aging populations.
  • The interplay between CVD risk factors, vascular involvement, and dementia risk requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor burden and vascular bed involvement with the risk of developing dementia.
  • To determine if the extent of vascular damage influences dementia risk in individuals with pre-existing CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, single-center cohort study (UCC-SMART) with 10,321 participants.
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor burden quantified by the number of risk factors present.
  • Vascular bed involvement assessed by the presence of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease.
  • Cox regression analysis adjusted for confounders to estimate dementia risk.

Main Results:

  • Dementia risk significantly increased with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor burden.
  • Individuals with 2 or 3 affected vascular beds had a substantially higher risk of dementia compared to those with 1.
  • Peripheral artery disease and cerebrovascular disease were associated with a greater dementia risk than coronary artery disease.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor burden and multi-vascular bed involvement are linked to increased dementia risk in individuals with established CVD.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management in potentially mitigating dementia risk within this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseCohort studyDementiaRisk factor burdenVascular bed involvement

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