A new study by UNC-Chapel Hill, Pennsylvania University & Purdue University revealed strong connections between heart & brain health
It shed light on the close relationship between heart & brain diseases such as stroke, dementia and cognitive impairment.
The new study confirmed that heart MRI traits significantly influenced brain health
Through genome-wide association studies, the researchers successfully uncovered the genetic structure between heart-brain connections
Heart failure has been linked to cognitive impairment & dementia due to reduced cerebral blood flow caused by a failing heart
For example, studies show that atrial fibrillation (heart arrhythmia) leads to an increased risk of dementia & silent cerebral damage
Conversely, people with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, epilepsy or depression are more prone to cardiovascular diseases
By shedding light on intricate heart-brain connections, this study can greatly help in disease risk prediction & prevention.