In this CNN article, MBRF Trustee, Dr. Richard Isaacson provides thoughts on new research published by the American College of Cardiology showing people with more risk factors for heart disease experienced more cognitive decline than people with healthier hearts.
“High blood pressure and diabetes can accelerate shrinkage of the brain. High cholesterol can increase the bad protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Decreased blood flow can cause ‘white spots’ on brain scans that can lead to slowed processing speed.”
For those of us who want to improve our chances for a healthy brain in older age, “making active lifestyle changes and seeing a doctor who can help control modifiable risk factors — such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and tobacco use is our best bet to maintain optimal brain function.”
Dr. Richard Isaacson, MBRF Trustee