Heart failure, atrial fibrillation & coronary heart disease linked to cognitive impairment

#1

Statement Highlights:

  • Previous studies have found that 14-81% of patients with heart failure experience some degree of cognitive impairment affecting language, memory or executive function.
  • Evidence also indicates that people with atrial fibrillation have a 39% increased risk of memory or thinking problems; adults with heart disease have a 27% higher risk of developing dementia; and up to 50% of individuals experience cognitive decline after a heart attack.
  • Managing heart health from an early age is important, not only for preventing heart disease but also for protecting brain health and reducing the risk of cognitive impairment in later life.
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#2

SGLT2i’s and statins to the rescue?

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#3

Heart health is brain health. If your brain is impaired, what is the point of living longer? Living, not vegetating. Since healthspan is decoupled - to a very limited degree - from lifespan, if you must have morbidities as a cost of a longer life, let it be something other than the brain. Hence you must take care of your heart for the sake of your brain if nothing else.

Re: the statement, it has been common knowledge, but the numbers are still striking, emphasizing the importance. Good reminder and urgent call to action. I’m not taking any chances, hence as AnUser says, statin + SGLT2i for me, as in my case diet, exercise and lifestyle are not enough to lower lipids to safe levels. Additionally, based on animal studies (dogs and cats) it seems rapa might actually be helpful in heart health, maybe. BP also (for me, telmisartan).

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