A decline in cognitive functions among older adults may become apparent several years prior to the official diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, according to researchers from Australia’s Monash University. This finding was detailed in a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
The experts examined data pertaining to over 19,000 volunteers, aged 65 and above, residing in both Australia and the United States. At the commencement of the study, none of these individuals had a history of cardiovascular ailments recorded in their medical files. Over an observation period spanning 11 years, 1,934 instances of these conditions developing were documented. Subsequently, the scientists conducted a comparative assessment, matching the patients with diagnosed diseases to a control group of healthy participants.
It was discovered that individuals who later developed cardiovascular illnesses experienced a deterioration in cognitive capacity three to eight years before receiving a formal diagnosis. Compared to those in the control group, these subjects exhibited a more rapid decline in memory, information processing speed, and articulate speech. Furthermore, a general reduction across all cognitive metrics was noted.
This trend was observable preceding the onset of stroke, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure, even including instances that proved fatal. The only exception to this pattern was non-fatal myocardial infarction, for which this correlation could not be established.
The study’s authors emphasize that their findings underscore the importance of monitoring the cognitive status of elderly individuals early on. In their view, adopting such a strategy could aid in detecting the risks associated with cardiovascular disorders at their nascent stages, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of preventative measures.
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