The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: Reducing Heart Disease Risk Factors May Lower Alzheimer's Biomarkers A recent study has found that lowering seven risk factors for heart disease could potentially decrease biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that promoting better cardiovascular health may have significant benefits for brain health in older adults. The study focused on the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7, a set of modifiable risk factors for heart disease. Participants with higher Life's Simple 7 scores showed lower levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a biomarker linked to neurodegeneration. Researchers from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging in Chicago conducted the study using data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project. They found that older adults with the highest cardiovascular health scores had approximately 19% lower levels of NfL compared to those with low scores. The Life's Simple 7 tool includes factors such as maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, not smoking, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. The study's findings suggest that addressing these factors may help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This research adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the connection between heart and brain health. It emphasizes the importance of promoting cardiovascular health as a potential strategy for reducing the burden of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly among populations at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. The study's results are particularly encouraging for public health efforts, as they suggest that even intermediate levels of cardiovascular health may be beneficial in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This underscores the value of implementing heart-healthy lifestyle changes at any stage of life. As the global population ages and the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise, these findings offer hope for potential preventive strategies. By focusing on improving cardiovascular health, individuals may be able to protect both their heart and brain health as they age. Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9