Having a history of coronary heart disease earlier than age 45 is linked to a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. The finding appears in a report from the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA).
Researchers evaluated health data from more than 430,000 individuals within the British Biobank. Throughout the analysis, they adjusted for factors such as gender and lifestyle. In those diagnosed with coronary heart disease before 45, the odds of dementia rose by 36 percent, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease increased by 13 percent, and the likelihood of vascular dementia climbed by 78 percent compared with participants without coronary heart disease.
The authors noted that the most striking result was a clear, almost linear link between the age at which coronary artery disease begins and brain health outcomes. This pattern underscores the significant impact early cardiovascular disease can have on later cognitive function.
Earlier investigations have already shown a rapid decline in mental performance after a coronary artery disease diagnosis. The next step is to explore whether reducing cardiovascular risk earlier in life might support better brain health in later years, the scientists commented.
As an observational study, the research cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between dementia and coronary heart disease. It also notes that more than 94 percent of the UK Biobank data come from individuals of European descent, which means the results may not apply universally to people from other backgrounds.
Earlier researchers explored what kinds of headaches respond best to non-prescription relief, suggesting a broader conversation about how cardiovascular and neurological health intersect across lifespans.