A study from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has found that some commonly used cardiovascular medications are linked to a reduced risk of dementia in older adults.
This research, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, provides new insights into how long-term use of these drugs may protect the brain as people age.
Dementia and cardiovascular disease are two major public health issues, both of which place a heavy burden on healthcare systems and society.
Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline, while cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death globally. This study highlights how treating cardiovascular conditions may also benefit brain health.
The research analyzed data from Swedish national registers, involving around 88,000 individuals aged 70 and older who were diagnosed with dementia between 2011 and 2016, as well as 880,000 people without dementia for comparison.
The study tracked the participants’ use of cardiovascular medications over time using records from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.
The findings showed that people who used cardiovascular drugs for five years or more had a lower risk of developing dementia.
Specifically, long-term use of medications such as antihypertensives (to manage blood pressure), cholesterol-lowering drugs, diuretics (to reduce fluid buildup), and blood thinners was associated with a reduction in dementia risk ranging from 4% to 25%.
Moreover, using combinations of these drugs seemed to offer stronger protective effects than using them individually.
Dr. Mozhu Ding, one of the study’s lead researchers, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, “We can see a clear link between long-term use—five years or more—of these drugs and reduced risk of dementia in older age.”
The research takes a broad approach by examining various cardiovascular drugs across a wide population, rather than focusing on specific drugs or small groups of patients.
However, the study also found a potential downside. The use of antiplatelet drugs, which are often prescribed to prevent strokes by stopping blood cells (platelets) from clumping together, was linked to an increased risk of dementia.
One possible explanation is that these medications may raise the risk of tiny brain bleeds, known as microbleeds, which can contribute to cognitive decline.
While the findings are promising, the researchers caution that further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these associations. Randomized controlled clinical trials would help confirm whether the observed effects are directly caused by the medications or if other factors are involved.
The researchers also plan to explore additional factors that could influence dementia risk, such as diet and lifestyle choices, alongside cardiovascular treatments. “We currently have no cure for dementia, so it’s important to find preventive measures,” said Alexandra Wennberg, a co-author of the study.
This study is a step forward in understanding how managing cardiovascular health could also help protect brain health. By identifying existing drugs with potential brain-protective benefits, researchers hope to uncover new strategies to prevent or delay the onset of dementia, a condition for which there is currently no cure.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
The research findings can be found in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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