Cognitive impairment among elderly coronary heart disease patients

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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

M Ahto1, R Isoaho, H Puolijoki

  • 1Unit of General Practice, Oulu University Hospital and Department of Public Health Science and General Practice, University of Oulu, Finland.merja.ahto@utu.fi

Gerontology
|February 6, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Coronary heart disease (CHD) does not independently affect cognitive function in the elderly. However, complicated CHD in men may negatively impact cognitive abilities, particularly in orientation and language.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) and cognitive decline are prevalent in the elderly.
  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are linked to vascular dementia, but the relationship between CHD and general cognitive function in older adults requires further population-based study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between coronary heart disease (CHD) and cognitive impairment in an elderly population.

Main Methods:

  • The Lieto study population included community-dwelling men and women aged 64 years and older.
  • Patients with CHD (defined by angina pectoris or myocardial infarction) were compared to age- and sex-matched controls without CHD.
  • Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in overall cognitive functioning (total MMSE scores or subtest scores) were observed between elderly patients with CHD and controls.
  • In men, higher MMSE scores in orientation and language correlated with more severe chest pain.
  • Logistic regression indicated that cognitive impairment in men was associated with advanced age, cardiac glycoside use, and physical disability. In women, cognitive impairment was linked to advanced age and antipsychotic use.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) generally shows no independent association with cognitive impairment in non-institutionalized, community-living elderly individuals.
  • A complex or severe form of CHD may negatively influence cognitive functioning in elderly men.
Abstract

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