Association Of Cardiovascular Risk Burden With Risk And Progression Of Disability: Mediating Role Of

In this community‐based cohort study of older adults with yearly follow‐up, researchers sought to investigate the correlation of cardiovascular risk burden evaluated by the Framingham general cardiovascular risk score (FGCRS) with the risk and progression of disability as well as the extent to which cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive decline mediate this connection. The Rush Memory and Aging Project followed a total of 1,480 older adults with no disabilities (mean age = 79.32 ± 7.38 years) for up to 21 years. The correlation between FGCRS and change in daily living activities was mediated by the accumulation of CVDs by 13.8% and cognitive decline by 25.1%. The greater burden of cardiovascular risk raised the risk of impairment and over time sped up its progression. The relationship may partly be mediated by CVD accumulation and cognitive impairment.

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