Another way to identify those at risk for mental decline, also known ad Dementia, is to measure their resting heart rate, as a new Swedish study reveals.

The researchers discovered that having a high resting heart rate was linked to a higher risk of dementia.

“We believe it would be valuable to explore if resting heart rate could identify patients with high dementia risk,” says lead author Dr. Yume Imahori.

“If we follow such patients’ cognitive function carefully and intervene early, the onset of dementia might be delayed, which can have a substantial impact on their quality of life,” adds Imahori.

Her team monitored over 2,100 participants in Stockholm for up to 12 years for the study. The participants were all over the age of 60.

Those who had a resting heart rate of 80 or more beats per minute had a 55 percent increased risk of dementia than those who had a heart rate of 60 to 69 beats per minute.

According to research reported in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the association between a higher heart rate and dementia remained substantial even after researchers took into consideration characteristics such as heart disease.

Nonetheless, the scientists highlighted that undiscovered heart illness and the fact that more patients with heart disease didn’t survive long enough to acquire dementia may have influenced their findings.

The researchers also stated that their study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between a high resting heart rate and the risk of dementia.

The scientists explained that resting heart rate can be reduced by exercise or medical therapy.

According to the study’s authors, there are various plausible explanations for the link between a high resting heart rate and an increased risk of dementia. The impact of underlying heart disease and risk factors, hardened arteries, and neural system imbalances that prepare the body for restful settings or activate the fight-or-flight response are among them.

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, the global dementia population is anticipated to reach 139 million by 2050. Although there is no treatment for dementia, accumulating research suggests that leading a balanced lifestyle and maintaining good heart health can help delay the onset of the disease and alleviate its symptoms.

Source: 10.1002/alz.12495

Image Credit: Getty

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