New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that better heart health is associated with less decline in mental processing speed and cognition among middle-aged Black women, but not among middle-aged white women.
Lead author Imke Janssen, Ph.D., a professor at Rush University Medical Center, emphasized the importance of cardiovascular health in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and maintaining independent living.
Prior studies have linked heart health to a reduced risk of cognitive decline, which may start before dementia onset. The research aimed to determine when the cognitive benefits of heart health begin, if they differ among races, and their impact on various brain functions.
The study compared heart health metrics, known as Life’s Essential 8, among middle-aged Black and white women over a 20-year period. The cognitive tests focused on processing speed and working memory.
Findings showed differences in cognitive decline by race only in processing speed, not in working memory. Black women with lower heart health experienced a 10% decrease in processing speed over 20 years, while those with good heart health showed minimal decline. Conversely, heart health did not affect working memory for either group.
Janssen noted that the study’s participants were younger than those in previous research, which may explain the differing results. The next step is a clinical trial to confirm the impact of optimizing heart health in midlife Black women on cognitive aging and dementia risk.
Limitations of the study included a single study site and self-reported heart health measures. The research did not address potential racial disparities in access to healthcare or the impact of structural racism on Black participants.
Key details of the study include the participation of 363 Black and 402 white women in Chicago, starting cognitive testing in their mid-40s and continuing for 20 years. Heart health assessments were conducted at enrollment only.
