Midlife Heart Damage May Lead to Dementia
A new study reveals that a blood test typically used to detect heart attacks could help identify who might develop dementia decades in the future. Dr. Michael Yonash, a specialist in internal medicine and cardiology, emphasizes: "The central importance of this research is in highlighting the close connection between cardiovascular disease and brain health and cognitive function."
The Troponin Connection
Middle-aged people with unusually high blood levels of troponin—a
protein released when heart muscle is damaged—were found to be at
significantly higher risk of developing dementia later in life,
according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal.
Troponin is one of the key markers for
heart attacks, but according to researchers, even in people with no
symptoms of heart disease, elevated levels of this protein in midlife
can predict dementia onset up to 25 years before diagnosis. In simple
terms: silent, ongoing heart damage may affect the brain long before
memory problems appear.
A Strong Heart-Brain Link
Dr. Yonash explains that this is a large, rigorous study based on
numerous participants and extended follow-up, published in one of the
world's leading cardiology journals. According to him, its main
significance lies in emphasizing the close relationship between
cardiovascular disease and brain health and cognitive function.
"Heart health directly impacts brain
health," he says. "Cardiovascular diseases and brain conditions like
dementia and Alzheimer's share many common risk factors—chronic high
blood pressure, diabetes, elevated blood lipids, atrial fibrillation,
and more." According to him, the core message of the study is proof that
heart muscle damage may be linked to future dementia development.
Impaired Blood Flow to the Brain
According to researchers, high troponin levels in the blood—even in
people without any signs of heart disease—can indicate ongoing, silent
damage to heart muscle. This damage, they explain, may impair blood flow
to the brain and subsequently significantly increase dementia risk.
"Brain damage in people with dementia
accumulates slowly over decades, long before symptoms appear," Professor
Eric Brunner, one of the study's authors from University College London
(UCL), told Euronews. According to him, there's now a need for further
research to examine whether blood troponin testing can serve as a tool
for predicting future dementia risk in early years.
25 Years of Follow-Up
The study tracked nearly 6,000 people in Britain without dementia or
heart disease. Participants underwent highly sensitive troponin testing
when they were aged 45 to 69, then were followed for approximately 25
years on average. During this period, 695 participants were diagnosed
with dementia. Among those diagnosed, consistently higher troponin
levels were found 7 to 25 years before disease onset.
According to researchers, people with the
highest troponin levels had approximately 38% higher risk of developing
dementia compared to those with the lowest levels. They also showed
faster decline in thinking abilities, memory, and problem-solving. The
connection between troponin levels and dementia remained significant
even after adjusting for factors like sex, ethnicity, and education
level.
"People Aren't Aware of This"
Researchers noted that elevated troponin levels could in the future
serve as an early warning for people at increased risk of developing
dementia. However, Dr. Yonash clarifies there's no need to rush to your
family doctor requesting troponin tests: "This isn't a test designed for
early community diagnosis, and you can't request it from a family
physician. It's performed urgently in emergency rooms when ruling out a
heart attack. One study won't create new policy."
According to him, the bottom line for the public is the need for regular
checkups and maintaining cardiovascular health from a relatively young
age: "You need to check blood lipids, blood pressure, sugar levels,
identify atherosclerosis, and monitor risk factors starting from age 40
and up. People aren't always aware of how important this is."
Lifestyle Matters
According to Dr. Yonash, a significant part of maintaining
cardiovascular and brain health also depends on proper lifestyle
choices: "Physical activity—even moderate—has been proven to reduce
dementia risk. You need to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, get up and move
throughout the day, take the stairs, maintain a balanced diet, and not
smoke. A healthy lifestyle not only protects the heart and blood vessels
but also reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia."