How Reducing 7 Risk Factors for Heart Disease May Lower Alzheimer’s Biomarkers

Reducing 7 Risk Factors for heart disease May Help Lower Alzheimer's Biomarkers

The connection between cardiovascular health and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease has become a subject of growing interest in medical research. While heart disease has long been recognized as a major health concern, the impact of cardiovascular health on the brain, particularly regarding Alzheimer’s disease, may provide critical insight into preventive strategies. A recent study has shed light on this link, revealing that improving heart health by addressing seven modifiable risk factors could help lower biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

The American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7

In 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) introduced its Life’s Simple 7 initiative, a set of seven key lifestyle factors designed to promote cardiovascular health. These factors are not only crucial for maintaining a healthy heart but also serve as a roadmap for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improving overall health.

The seven factors are:

1. Healthy diet: Eating a balanced, nutritious diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
2. Regular physical activity: Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
3. Healthy BMI: Maintaining a body mass index (BMI) that is within a healthy range.
4. Non-smoking status: Avoiding tobacco in all forms.
5. Absence of dyslipidemia: Managing cholesterol levels to reduce plaque build-up in arteries.
6. Absence of diabetes: Maintaining normal blood glucose levels to prevent the risk of cardiovascular complications.
7. Absence of hypertension: Keeping blood pressure within healthy ranges.

For the past decade, studies have shown that adhering to these guidelines lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. However, a recent study has now suggested that following Life’s Simple 7 may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions by lowering biomarkers associated with brain damage.

A Link Between Cardiovascular Health and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Cardiovascular disease has long been considered a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and dementia. New research, published in JAMA Network Open, has provided evidence that improving cardiovascular health through Life’s Simple 7 may positively influence brain health by lowering biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration.

The study followed over 1,000 older adults aged 65 and over, many of whom identified as Black or African American. Participants were evaluated based on their cardiovascular health (CVH) scores, which were determined by how well they met the seven Life’s Simple 7 criteria. These scores were then correlated with levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a protein released into the bloodstream when nerve cells are damaged.

Understanding Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL)

NfL is a sensitive biomarker that reflects the damage to nerve cells, and higher levels of NfL in the blood are often indicative of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other dementias. The researchers found that participants who had higher CVH scores, meaning they adhered better to the seven lifestyle factors, exhibited lower levels of NfL in their blood. These individuals also showed a slower annual increase in NfL, suggesting less damage to nerve cells over time.

Anisa Dhana, MD, MSc, the study’s lead author, explained, “NfL is a useful marker of brain health because higher levels can indicate nerve cell damage. Our study suggests that better cardiovascular health may help slow the neurodegenerative process by reducing these markers of brain damage.”

These findings are significant because they not only highlight the connection between cardiovascular health and brain health, but also suggest that improving heart health could be a promising approach to preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The Role of Cardiovascular Health in Black Communities

The study also highlights the need for targeted efforts to improve cardiovascular health within the Black community, who face a higher risk of both cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. Past research has shown that Black adults are at greater risk for hypertension, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, making cardiovascular health education and intervention crucial in this population.

Dr. Dhana emphasized, “Improving cardiovascular health in older adults may help reduce the impact of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in Black adults, who experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease. These findings emphasize the need for greater awareness and access to cardiovascular health resources in communities with a higher proportion of Black individuals.”

The Importance of Addressing heart disease Risk Factors

Experts are encouraging older adults to take the necessary steps to control the modifiable risk factors for heart disease, as doing so may offer significant benefits not only for cardiovascular health but also for brain health. Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, commented on the study’s findings, saying, “This research reaffirms the importance of following the AHA’s Simple 7 guidelines. It supports previous research that has linked cardiovascular health to neurological health, particularly in reducing the future risk of dementia.”

As the population ages, the rates of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s are expected to rise, posing a significant health burden on society. The good news is that improving cardiovascular health through lifestyle interventions could potentially lower the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, improving the quality of life for millions of elderly individuals.

The Mechanism Behind Cardiovascular and brain health Overlap

The link between heart health and brain health may lie in shared risk factors such as inflammation, vascular health, and blood flow regulation. Jason Tarpley, MD, PhD, a vascular neurologist, explained, “We used to think of Alzheimer’s disease and stroke as separate entities, but over time, we’ve realized that they share a lot of common risk factors, particularly those related to cardiovascular health.”

Improving heart health by managing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol not only benefits the heart but may also protect the brain from neurodegeneration. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this connection, but the study suggests that adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle could have long-term benefits for brain health, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Conclusion

The research linking cardiovascular health to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By following the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7, older adults may reduce the risk of both cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration, ultimately improving their quality of life and reducing the burden of diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Given the growing evidence of the overlap between heart and brain health, further research into how improving cardiovascular health impacts biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases is essential. In the meantime, public health campaigns aimed at promoting heart health—particularly in at-risk populations like Black Americans—could have a profound impact on both cardiovascular and brain health outcomes.

Learn more: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...ign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=031125