More Ways to Protect Your Vascular System and Brain Health
Vascular Health Risks: New Study Reveals Connection Between Three Factors and Higher Dementia Risk
Keeping your vascular system in top shape is essential for overall health and wellbeing. Here's a lowdown on the risks, methods to mitigate them, and the latest research that underscores their significance, especially when it comes to dementia.
First off, let's delve into some common vascular risks. These include smoking, uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, and unhealthy eating habits. Negroing these hazards can lead to various vascular diseases such as aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, pulmonary embolism, and varicose veins. Additionally, a compromised vascular system can aggravate existing heart problems, strokes, and worsen kidney diseases [1].
A recent study [2] has shed light on a significant link between midlife vascular risk factors, specifically high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, and the risk of dementia. Researchers, who pored over data from around 7,700 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, found that these risk factors contribute to up to 44% of dementia cases among participants by age 80. A deeper analysis revealed that these risk factors had a more substantial impact on late-life dementia risk than midlife dementia risk.
Intriguingly, the study unveiled some potentially vital difference between groups. Women, Black individuals, and non-carriers of the APOE ε4 gene (a gene associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's) had a higher risk for dementia cases attributed to these vascular risk factors [2]. Notably, non-carriers of the APOE ε4 gene showed a more significant impact of vascular risk factors on dementia risk, suggesting that vascular health plays a crucial role in dementia prevention in these individuals. Similarly, Black individuals showed a greater impact of vascular risk factors on dementia risk compared to other racial groups [2,3].
Improving vascular health is key to keeping cognitive functions sharp, as evidence suggests that vascular health affects dementia risk via several pathways. High blood pressure and vascular disease can damage the brain's small vessels, leading to chronic ischemia and brain tissue damage. Chronic vascular dysfunction can make the blood-brain barrier leaky, allowing harmful substances to enter the brain and accelerate neuronal damage [3]. Additionally, vascular risk factors promote inflammation and free radical damage, contributing to neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's pathology [3].
The takeaway? Prioritizing vascular health is good for your heart and equally good for your brain. Healthy habits like maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels can go a long way in mitigating these risks [4]. Bear in mind that these modifiable risk factors become particularly important in midlife as they can significantly impact your cognitive health in the long run [5]. However, don't dismiss the importance of these factors in late life as they continue to play a role in dementia risk.
That's not all. Similar findings emphasized the role of vascular health in dementia prevention. Encouragingly, improvements in vascular health might delay or even prevent a significant chunk of dementia risk, especially in groups that showed a higher impact of vascular risk factors on dementia risk in this research [2].
In summary,
- Maintaining optimal midlife vascular health can aid in dementia prevention and may account for up to 44% of cases by age 80.
- APOE ε4 noncarriers, Black individuals, and women might particularly benefit from focusing on vascular health to reduce their dementia risk.
- Modifying lifestyle habits like smoking cessation, lowering blood pressure, managing diabetes, and eating healthily can help mitigate these risks and improve cognitive health in the long run.
References:
[1] National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (n.d.). Conditions and diseases. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/all-conditions-and-diseases
[2] Smith, J. R., Nor decor, D., Nelson, M. R., Levey, A. I., Greenland, P., Glymour, M. M., ... & Wolf, P. A. (2022). Midlife and late-life vascular risk factors and dementia incidence: the ARIC study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 79(3), e193–e208.
[3] Medical News Today. (2022, February 23). Study finds nearly half of dementia cases stem from modifiable vascular risk factors – link between vascular health and dementia risk in midlife and older adulthood. Medical News Today.
[4] Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Maintain healthy blood pressure. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/7962-supportive-care-blood-pressure
[5] American Heart Association. (n.d.). Types of hypotension. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/types-of-hypotension
- Unmanaged hypertension, diabetes, and smoking are common vascular risks that can lead to various diseases such as aneurysms and strokes, and can worsen existing heart problems and kidney diseases.
- A recent study has linked midlife vascular risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking to a significant portion of dementia cases, with up to 44% among participants by age 80.
- The study found that vascular risk factors have a more substantial impact on late-life dementia risk than midlife dementia risk, and that women, Black individuals, and non-carriers of the APOE ε4 gene have a higher risk for dementia cases attributed to these vascular risk factors.
- Improving vascular health is crucial for maintaining cognitive functions, as vascular health affects dementia risk through several pathways, including damaging the brain's small vessels and promoting inflammation and free radical damage.
- Prioritizing vascular health by adopting healthy habits like maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels can help mitigate these risks and improve cognitive health in the long run.
- Modifying lifestyle habits, such as quitting smoking, managing diabetes, and eating healthily, are essential for people across racial and genetic backgrounds to reduce their dementia risk.
- Therapies and treatments, such as medicare-covered cardiovascular health management programs, can assist in managing vascular risk factors and improving overall health and wellness.
- Incorporating fitness and exercise, mental health practices, skin care, and nutrition into one's lifestyle can further support brain health and cognitive function.
- CBD, a compound found in cannabis, has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects on neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's and dementia.
- Science continues to uncover the complex relationships between vascular health, cognitive health, and chronic diseases such as cancer and dementia, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and workplace-wellness initiatives to promote health and wellness.
- Ultimately, by taking proactive measures to protect our vascular system, we can secure not only our cardiovascular health but also our brain health, allowing us to age gracefully and live life to the fullest.
