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Cardiovascular Comorbidities with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Juliano Flávio Rubatino Rodrigues1,2,3, Lívia Peregrino Rodrigues4, Franciany Cunha Peregrino Rodrigues5
1Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Current Alzheimer Research
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases like heart failure increase Alzheimer's disease risk. Effective cardiovascular disease prevention may reduce Alzheimer's disease incidence.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia, marked by cognitive decline.
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are linked to various risk factors for AD.
- Understanding the AD-CVD relationship can inform prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's disease.
- To explore how heart conditions impact AD onset and progression.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines.
- PECOS framework: Population (individuals), Exposure (CVD), Comparison (no CVD), Outcome (AD), Study Design (all relevant studies).
- Inclusion of case-control, cohort, and genetic studies; meta-analysis for Odds Ratios (ORs) and Hazard Ratios (HRs).
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis showed increased AD risk with CVD, Heart Failure (HF), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Hypertension (HTN), and Myocardial Infarction (MI).
- Specific HRs: HF (1.63), CAD (1.43), AF (1.38), CVD (1.30), HTN (1.22), MI (1.07).
- Mendelian randomization did not show causality from CVD to AD, but AD increased MI risk (OR=1.07).
Conclusions:
- Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation, and Coronary Artery Disease show the highest risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
- Altered cerebral blood perfusion and hypoxia are key neurodegenerative factors.
- Preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases is crucial for reducing Alzheimer's disease risk.
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