© Shutterstock

Main killer -

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading global cause of death, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, heart disease has been the number one killer for over a century.

© Shutterstock

Dementia risk -

According to the American Heart Association, people with coronary heart disease are 27% more likely to develop dementia than those without heart disease.

© Shutterstock

What's the link? -

Recent studies suggest a strong link between heart and brain health. Heart conditions like coronary artery disease can harm brain blood vessels, increasing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

© Shutterstock

Other factors -

Other risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking, can lead to small vessel disease, impairing brain oxygenation and increasing dementia risk.

© Getty Images

New findings -

While the link between dementia and heart disease was already known, a new study revealed that men at high risk for heart disease may develop dementia up to a decade earlier than women. "This discovery has significant health implications," says lead author Dr. Paul Edison, professor of neuroscience at Imperial College London.

© Getty Images

Heart conditions still concerning - The new study's results support previous research, indicating that poor cardiovascular health is associated with both impaired cognitive function and brain damage, both of which are predictive of dementia.

© Shutterstock

Increased risk -

Previous research by epidemiologist Jingkai Wei, from the University of Texas Health Science Center, found that a decade of heart disease risk factors was linked to poorer cognitive function in older adults, including declines in executive function, processing speed, and memory.

© Getty Images

Study deep dive -

Published in November 2024 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, a new study examined data from over 34,000 men and women aged 45 to 82 who participated in a longitudinal health study in the UK Biobank.

© Getty Images

Study deep dive -

By using a neuroimaging technique called voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze the whole brain, researchers believe they were able to more accurately identify the impact of abdominal and visceral fat on brain degeneration.

© Getty Images

Fat villain -

Results showed that cardiovascular risk factors, along with higher levels of abdominal and visceral fat, were associated with reduced gray matter volume throughout the cerebral cortex in both men and women. Gray matter is responsible for processing and interpreting information, according to Edison.

© Getty Images

Effects on the brain -

The study found that the most vulnerable brain regions, including those involved in hearing, vision, emotional processing, and memory, are affected early in the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

© Getty Images

Clock ticking -

Timing may be key to preventing cognitive decline," said Wei. Some observational studies have shown that midlife vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity, have less impact later in life when potential damage is already done.

© Getty Images

Prevention is key -

That's why midlife may be a key window for both the development of dementia and the prevention of it, he added.

© Getty Images

Heart alert -

The study also found that heart disease can lead to early dementia, even in those without the APOE ε4 gene, a gene variant linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in older adults.

© Shutterstock

Making changes -

Since heart disease can be a significant factor in early dementia, regardless of genetic predisposition, researchers emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, especially in middle age, to reduce dementia risk.

© Shutterstock

Diet -

Maintaining a healthy diet, with controlled levels of sugar and cholesterol, is paramount in reducing vascular risk factors.

© Getty Images

Alcohol -

Beyond elevating blood pressure, alcohol abuse can damage the heart muscle and increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Quitting or avoiding alcohol is highly recommended. 

© Shutterstock

Tobacco -

The same goes for smoking, as tobacco smoke damages the lining of blood vessels, promoting the buildup of plaque (cholesterol, fat, and other substances) in the arteries.

© Shutterstock

Brain gym - Doctors also suggest incorporating cognitive stimulant activities into daily life, such as reading, crossword puzzles, or learning a new skill. "The key is to start these proactive preventive actions early, and not wait until late life," Wei said.

© Shutterstock

Why are men more susceptible? -

The study found that men were most susceptible to cardiovascular risk factors between the ages of 55 and 74, while women were most susceptible a decade later, between 65 and 74. But why?

© Getty Images

Health neglect -

While there could be several reasons, existing research has shown that men in midlife are not only more likely than women to have poor cardiovascular risk profiles, such as hypertension and high cholesterol, but are also less likely to address them.

© Shutterstock

Hormones -

Hormonal differences also play a role, according to Edison. In men, testosterone is linked to higher levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lower levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease, which in turn, can contribute to dementia.

© Shutterstock

Hormones -

Additionally, men have higher levels of hormones that can cause inflammation and increase the risk of blood clots, which may contribute to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

© Shutterstock

Hormones -

In women, however, estrogen reduces LDL levels while increasing HDL levels. This changes once women approach menopause. "The protective effect of estrogen pre-menopause may explain why women face problems a decade later than men," Edison explained.

© Shutterstock

Habits -

Men are also more likely than women to have diets high in saturated fat, salt, and red meat, as well as consume tobacco and alcohol, Edison said.

© Shutterstock

Fat storage -

Men tend to have more visceral fat, which accumulates around internal organs, while women tend to have more subcutaneous fat, which accumulates around the hips, Edison explained. Visceral fat is linked to an increased risk of heart attack.

© Getty Images

Psychological factor? - While hormones and physical factors influence how certain men develop health conditions, the data also suggests that men may be less likely to change their habits and lifestyle, even with this evidence.

© Shutterstock

Struggling with change -

Journalist Gail Sheehy spent eight years exploring the impact of age on men and found that many men over 40 struggle more than women to make a satisfying transition into the second half of their lives.

© Shutterstock

Suffering in silence -

According to human behavior and relationship expert Patrick Wanis, women experience more physical changes throughout their lives than men. This may lead to a different perception of change and a greater willingness to seek help. In contrast, men may be more resistant to change and less likely to seek support.

Source: (CNN)

See also: Things you didn't know can happen to men's bodies

© Shutterstock