The importance of heart health for the brain

February is American Heart Month, which makes it the ideal time to discuss the connection between brain and heart health.

As the American Brain Foundation states, “Heart health is brain health.”

While in the past the connection between vascular and cognitive health was not as clear, we now have a wealth of scientific evidence that captures how the cardiovascular system supports the brain. The Mayo Clinic outlines several forms of vascular dementia, some which are triggered by strokes, while other forms are the result of chronic medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

The American Brain Foundation points out that “heart disease can be a significant contributing factor to dementia”
due to its critical role in delivering blood flow that provides oxygen and other nutrients to the brain that supports cognitive health.

Heart disease is considered a risk factor for dementia. Poor heart health increases stroke risk, which can disrupt blood flow to the brain. Monitoring cholesterol levels is important because excess cholesterol can lead to blocked arteries and increase stroke risk.

The good news is that there are several lifestyle changes people can make to support their heart and brain health. Here are recommendations from the Mayo Clinic:

• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Prevent or manage diabetes
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check with regular montioring
• Exercise

The American Brain foundation also recommends managing stress levels and getting good sleep on a regular basis.

My father never gave up smoking until he was forced to in the memory care center but he became obsessed with cholesterol levels in midlife. It’s hard to know what caused my father’s dementia as he already had a strong family history, and I suppose my father opted to control his diet vs a habit he didn’t think he could quit. If managing heart and brain health feels overwhelming, begin by taking one small action each day and build momentum over time until it eventually becomes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Illustration generated by ChatGPT.