What The American Heart Association Wants You To Know About The Heart-Brain Connection

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide for both men and women. And 90% of people 20+1 in the U.S. have a risk factor for developing heart disease (!!).

If that's not scary enough, the American Heart Association (AHA) just released a scientific statement detailing a strong link between heart health and cognitive decline (like dementia and Alzheimer's). 

So before we get into the nitty-gritty of how and why these chronic diseases are connected (and what to do to prevent them), there is hope. The gist of the statement is: There's strong evidence that preventing and treating heart diseases early can help protect cognitive function with age. 

Everything in the body is connected—including these two vital organs. The nervous system (which is controlled by the brain) helps regulate the heart, and the circulatory system is responsible for delivering nutrients and oxygen to the brain (which uses a whopping 20% of the body's total oxygen intake2). 

The brain has a very intricate system of blood vessels that ensure it receives the oxygen and nutrients needed to function properly. But these blood vessels are small, fragile, and especially vulnerable to wear and tear.

Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart is not able to keep up with its workload and pump enough blood and oxygen throughout the body. 

This suboptimal blood flow is linked to some vascular changes in the brain, but research indicates it doesn't account for all brain changes. 

Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular (often faster) heartbeat. 

Previous studies indicate that people with atrial fibrillation have a 39% higher risk of cognitive impairment than the general population. This condition is even linked to dementia in folks who have never had a stroke (a blood clot in the brain). 

CHD occurs when the heart's blood supply is blocked or reduced by plaque buildup (which can be caused by lifestyle factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol). 

Research also indicates that inflammation stemming from CHD can damage the brain, specifically by weakening the blood-brain barrier (an added layer of protection for the brain that regulates the passage of particles between blood vessels and brain tissue). If this barrier is damaged, more harmful substances can enter the brain and trigger inflammation. 

Overall, early detection of heart problems and risk factors of heart problems (like high cholesterol and high blood pressure) are key to protecting your heart and your brain in the long run. Don't skip your yearly physical and always opt to get blood work to monitor risk factors.