Dementia is a condition that occurs due to changes in your brain, so what does your heart health have to do with your chances of developing this disease? While a healthier heart and a healthier brain may not seem like they go hand in hand, many factors that contribute to the health of one also affect the health of the other. That’s why a healthier heart may affect dementia risk.

One reason heart health and dementia may be linked is that unhealthy arteries are thought to play a role in both conditions. Therefore, controlling risk factors that improve heart health, such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, is likely to also lower the risk for dementia because it keeps your arteries healthier.

There is no way to guarantee you won’t develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but there are steps you can take that may make a difference. Some risk factors, such as your age, gender, race or genes can’t be changed, but you can control modifiable risks, which are related to lifestyle habits. Although an exact cause-and-effect relationship between these risk factors and dementia has not yet been established, research indicates that they may affect dementia risk in addition to heart health:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol – Preventing high blood pressure and high cholesterol or treating the conditions if you have them helps lower the harmful effects they have on the heart, brain and blood vessels. Healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising regularly, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can help you manage these conditions and may reduce dementia risk. Medications that control blood pressure and cholesterol may also lower the risk of dementia, but more research needs to be done on the subject.
• Blood sugar – Having too much sugar in your blood (glucose) can increase your risk of several diseases, in addition to causing diabetes. High glucose levels may raise heart disease and stroke risk, as well as the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. The best way to prevent high blood sugar levels is by following a healthy diet that doesn’t include too much added sugar or fat and exercising regularly. If your blood glucose is higher than normal, talk to your doctor about other steps you can take to manage blood sugar levels, including taking medication.
• Physical activity – Being physically active is good for your health in so many ways. It helps prevent obesity, reduces the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, helps with blood sugar management and may lower your risk of stroke or dementia.
• Mental and social activity – Keeping your mind active and staying engaged with social activities can keep your brain sharper and prevent loneliness. This lowers the chance of developing cognitive decline that leads to dementia. Social isolation and loneliness have also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and early death.

Although keeping your heart healthier doesn’t guarantee you won’t develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease as you age, the benefits of better heart health are worth changing your lifestyle habits. At the very least, you’ll enjoy a healthier heart, but there’s a good chance the effort you make may also improve your brain health now and in the future.

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