Are you taking pills for cardiovascular disease? Research shows they may also protect against dementia

Taking medications for cholesterol and blood pressure may seem like a burden to your health for many people. But there is good news for those who must rely on cardiovascular medications. Researchers have found that in addition to their cardiovascular benefits, long-term operate of these drugs, especially in combination, may provide protection against dementia.

Latest test conducted by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that operate of common cardiovascular medications for more than five years is associated with a reduced risk of dementia later in life.

“Previous studies have focused on individual drugs and specific patient groups, but in this study we took a broader approach,” said Alexandra Wennberg, lead author of the paper.

The study analyzed the risk of dementia using data from Swedish national registries covering approximately 88,000 people over the age of 70 who were diagnosed with dementia between 2011 and 2016. The study also included 880,000 control participants. The researchers obtained data on participants’ cardiovascular drug operate from the Swedish Prescription Drug Register.

“The results show that long-term operate of antihypertensives, cholesterol-lowering medications, diuretics and blood thinners is associated with a 4 to 25 percent lower risk of dementia. The drug combinations had a stronger protective effect than if they were used together with other drugs. used alone”, press release he stated.

However, researchers noted that the operate of antiplatelet drugs for stroke prevention may be associated with a higher risk of dementia. This may be due to the increased risk of microbleeds in the brain caused by these drugs, which have been associated with cognitive decline.

“The association between the operate of common cardiovascular medications and the risk of dementia suggests that these pathways could be explored for the development of dementia treatments, although future research is needed. Conversely, because antiplatelet drugs are commonly used, it is essential to further understand any long-term negative effects on cognitive outcomes.

Scientists believe the novel discovery is an essential piece of the puzzle to finding novel treatments for dementia. Additionally, because the study observed cognitive decline associated with the operate of antiplatelet drugs, it highlights the need to consider their potential long-term effects on cognitive function when prescribing these drugs.

“We currently don’t have a cure for dementia, so it’s essential to find preventative measures,” Wennberg said.