Dementia is a growing public health concern, affecting millions of older adults worldwide.
It leads to a decline in memory, thinking, and daily functioning, significantly impacting individuals and their families.
While there is currently no cure for dementia, new research offers hope by identifying ways to reduce the risk.
A recent study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet suggests that common heart medications might play a role in lowering the chances of developing dementia in later life.
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, examined the long-term use of cardiovascular drugs.
Researchers analyzed data from Swedish national registers, involving 88,000 individuals over 70 diagnosed with dementia between 2011 and 2016. They also included data from 880,000 people without dementia as a comparison group.
The findings are promising: using heart medications like antihypertensives (for high blood pressure), cholesterol-lowering drugs, diuretics, and blood thinners for five years or more was associated with a 4% to 25% lower risk of developing dementia.
Importantly, combining these medications showed stronger protective effects than using any single drug alone.
“We see a clear connection between long-term use of these drugs and reduced dementia risk,” said Mozhu Ding, one of the study’s lead authors and an assistant professor at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet.
Cardiovascular health and brain health are closely linked.
Poor heart health can lead to conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, and atherosclerosis, which are also risk factors for dementia. These medications may reduce such risks by improving blood flow and preventing damage to the brain over time.
However, the study also found a potential downside. Antiplatelet drugs, commonly used to prevent strokes by stopping platelets from clumping together, might increase the risk of dementia.
Researchers believe this could be due to microbleeds in the brain, a condition linked to cognitive decline.
This research provides valuable insights but is not the final word. “We currently have no cure for dementia, so finding preventive measures is critical,” said co-author Alexandra Wennberg. The team emphasizes the need for further studies, especially randomized clinical trials, to understand how these drugs affect the brain. They are also exploring how factors like diet and lifestyle may influence dementia risk alongside medication.
The findings underline the importance of managing cardiovascular health as a potential way to protect the brain. For now, individuals are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers for guidance on heart health and dementia prevention.
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Source: Karolinska Institutet.
