Cognition was assessed using a series of standard neuropsychological tests. Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess the association of heart health at each visit with cerebral autoregulation and cognition.
Results showed that the participants with better cardiovascular health at the beginning of the study were more likely to have higher cognitive test scores 30 years later in comparison with those with worse cardiovascular health.
For example, on a test of attention skills in which scores ranged from 7 to 103, each point higher on the cardiovascular health score was associated with a 2.2-point higher score in attention skills. These results held up after adjustment for other factors that could affect cognitive test scores, such as education level.
Better cardiovascular health at baseline and at 7 years was also associated with significantly better dynamic cerebral autoregulation.
“Our findings suggest that the earlier vascular risk factors are modified and addressed, the more likely that they will impact brain health across life span,” Dr. Sorond said.
“Moreover, these findings underscore the importance of primordial prevention and addressing the significant knowledge gap that currently exist in this domain,” she added.