Cardiovascular Health and Dementia: What’s the Link?

A healthy cardiovascular system relies on blood vessels that can circulate oxygen and vital nutrients effectively throughout the body. Damage to blood vessels anywhere in the body can lead to blood-vessel blockages in the brain, depriving brain cells of the essentials.

Damaged blood vessels in the brain can lead to vascular dementia, a condition that often coexists with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

To protect the brain, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends following the same measures one would follow to protect the heart:

Do not smoke.

Keep blood pressure, cholesterol and blood-sugar levels within recommended limits.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Exercise.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Limit alcohol consumption.

Aerobic Exercise May Benefit the Brain

There is some evidence that regular exercise can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain. (Check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise plan.)

A small study that supports the benefit of exercise, published in the April 2017 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine involved 38 older people who had been diagnosed with an early, mild form of vascular dementia.

After six months on an exercise regimen of brisk, one-hour walks three times a week, the walkers had lower blood pressure than subjects in the control group and significantly improved cognitive function, as assessed by brain scan.