Bad for the Heart, Bad for the Brain

Brain and heart, two vital organs is proved to have a very close relationship. Research experts in the Netherlands revealed that the risk factors of heart disease can also lead to decreased brain function, both in young adults and older age.

In the latest study, experts in the Netherlands involving 3,800 volunteers aged 35 to 82 years. The participants are known to have heart disease risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, levels of "bad" cholesterol is high. They did a test of memory and other cognitive abilities such as making plans, stating the reasons, and changing tasks.

As a result, participants who had the highest risk factors for heart disease have a worse test results than those who have lower risk factor.

The study, published in the journal Stroke found, two risk factors for heart disease, smoking and diabetes, is the most specific factors associated with decreased brain function.

Study chairman dr. Hanneke Joosten, a neurologist at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands said, young adults may think the effects of smoking and being overweight will cause adverse effects later a few years later, but in fact not the case.

"Everyone knows the negative effects of risk factors for heart disease such as heart attack, stroke, kidney function decline, but they do not realize it also affects cognitive health. What is bad for the heart, too bad for the brain," said Joosten.

This relationship, further Joosten, be aware of the doctor, the heart disease risk factors associated with decreased brain function. The wider community also need to be aware of and avoid the risk factors of heart disease.

"Quit smoking program not only to prevent, stroke, and cardiovascular disease, but also damage to cognitive abilities," he added.