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Simple lifestyle modifications could reduce the risk of dementia
American Heart Association defined ideal values and levels for seven modifiable factors that directly affect cardiovascular health. They include physical activity, smoking, or fasting plasma glucose.
Despite the high numbers of dementia cases, the age-specific incidence has been declining over the past several decades. This trend has been partly attributed to improved cardiovascular health (CVH) effects. However, the optimal cardiovascular outcomes that confer beneficial effects on dementia remain undetermined.
In 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) defined ideal values and levels for seven modifiable CVH-contributing factors. These seven CVH metrics have been dubbed as “Life's Simple 7”, including:
- Physical activity
- Smoking
- Diet
- Body mass index
- Fasting plasma glucose
- Total cholesterol
- Blood pressure
Research shows that maintaining ideal levels of these parameters has resulted in improved cardiovascular and cognitive outcomes. Although evidence from these studies consistently supports the cardiovascular benefit, the impact on cognitive health, especially for older populations, remains uncertain. Moreover, results from cohort studies have displayed a non-linear relationship between CVH factors and dementia risk in old age. For example, studies have demonstrated that older adults with either high or low blood pressure are at risk of developing dementia.
Wu et al. reviewed and analyzed the available literature to address the abovementioned gap. Their final analysis included 14 studies, including trials assessing dementia and cognitive decline. Their meta-analysis aimed to quantify the relationship between the AHA’s CVH parameters and cognitive outcomes. In this regard, they:
- Estimated the pooled association of the CVH score with the risk of incident dementia and global cognitive decline.
- Analyzed and quantified the relationship between individual CVH components and cognitive outcomes.
Results revealed that:
- Higher CVH scores correlated with reduced risk of incident dementia, but this outcome varied by age group. In midlife, the effect was linear, while in late life, it had a J-shaped association.
- Regarding individual components, the risk of late-life dementia significantly decreased when maintaining ideal levels (according to AHA guidelines) of physical activity, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and smoking.
The researchers concluded that maintaining favorable AHA CVH scores in mid- and late-life could potentially reduce dementia risk in older adults. Further research verifying these outcomes and assessing the impact of other investigated metrics of the “Life's Simple 7” is warranted.
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Despite the high numbers of dementia cases, the age-specific incidence has been declining over the past several decades. This trend has been partly attributed to improved cardiovascular health (CVH) effects. However, the optimal cardiovascular outcomes that confer beneficial effects on dementia remain undetermined.
In 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) defined ideal values and levels for seven modifiable CVH-contributing factors. These seven CVH metrics have been dubbed as “Life's Simple 7”, including:
- Physical activity
- Smoking
- Diet
- Body mass index
- Fasting plasma glucose
- Total cholesterol
- Blood pressure
Research shows that maintaining ideal levels of these parameters has resulted in improved cardiovascular and cognitive outcomes. Although evidence from these studies consistently supports the cardiovascular benefit, the impact on cognitive health, especially for older populations, remains uncertain. Moreover, results from cohort studies have displayed a non-linear relationship between CVH factors and dementia risk in old age. For example, studies have demonstrated that older adults with either high or low blood pressure are at risk of developing dementia.
Wu et al. reviewed and analyzed the available literature to address the abovementioned gap. Their final analysis included 14 studies, including trials assessing dementia and cognitive decline. Their meta-analysis aimed to quantify the relationship between the AHA’s CVH parameters and cognitive outcomes. In this regard, they:
- Estimated the pooled association of the CVH score with the risk of incident dementia and global cognitive decline.
- Analyzed and quantified the relationship between individual CVH components and cognitive outcomes.
Results revealed that:
- Higher CVH scores correlated with reduced risk of incident dementia, but this outcome varied by age group. In midlife, the effect was linear, while in late life, it had a J-shaped association.
- Regarding individual components, the risk of late-life dementia significantly decreased when maintaining ideal levels (according to AHA guidelines) of physical activity, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and smoking.
The researchers concluded that maintaining favorable AHA CVH scores in mid- and late-life could potentially reduce dementia risk in older adults. Further research verifying these outcomes and assessing the impact of other investigated metrics of the “Life's Simple 7” is warranted.
Article reviewed by
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Dr. Ana Baroni MD. Ph.D.
Scientific & Medical Advisor
Quality Garant
Ana has over 20 years of consultancy experience in longevity, regenerative and precision medicine. She has a multifaceted understanding of genomics, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, nutrition, aging markers, hormones and physical training. This background allows her to bridge the gap between longevity basic sciences and evidence-based real interventions, putting them into the clinic, to enhance the healthy aging of people. She is co-founder of Origen.life, and Longevityzone. Board member at Breath of Health, BioOx and American Board of Clinical Nutrition. She is Director of International Medical Education of the American College of Integrative Medicine, Professor in IL3 Master of Longevity at Barcelona University and Professor of Nutrigenomics in Nutrition Grade in UNIR University.
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