A groundbreaking study sheds light on the intricate relationship between cardiovascular health and cognitive decline among Black women in midlife. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research delves into the impact of cardiovascular well-being on early signs of cognitive impairment, offering crucial insights into disparities in cognitive health.
Led by a team of researchers, the study enrolled 363 Black and 402 white women from the Chicago site of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. These participants, aged 42–52 years at enrollment, underwent cognitive assessments annually or biennially over a span of up to 20 years, with an average follow-up of 9.8 years. To gauge cardiovascular health, researchers utilized a composite index known as Life’s Essential 8, encompassing various parameters including blood pressure, body mass index, glucose levels, cholesterol levels, smoking status, physical activity, diet, and sleep habits.
The pivotal question addressed by the study was whether better cardiovascular health correlated with reduced cognitive decline, with a particular focus on potential racial disparities.
The findings revealed a significant association between cardiovascular health and cognitive decline, particularly among midlife Black women. Processing speed, a key indicator of early cognitive deterioration, exhibited a decline in Black women with poorer cardiovascular health, commencing in midlife. Intriguingly, this decline was not observed among white women. However, the study did not detect a decline in working memory within the total study cohort or within racial or cardiovascular health-based subgroups.
These findings underscore the urgent need to address cardiovascular health disparities, particularly among Black women, to mitigate the risk of cognitive decline in midlife. By elucidating the intricate interplay between cardiovascular well-being and cognitive function, this research paves the way for targeted interventions aimed at preserving cognitive vitality and promoting overall health equity among diverse populations.
