A healthy heart is conducive to brain health which helps mitigate the chances of cognitive decline and impairment. While the exact risk factors for Dementia are not set in stone, certain lifestyle changes do seem to have a significant impact on the body and brain and reduce the chances of certain types of dementia, like vascular dementia.

What is good for the heart is good for the brain.

Studies show that heart health is linked to brain health. The heart pumps blood to different parts of the body, including the brain. Any damage to the vessels through which blood is supplied can lead to a host of serious health conditions like heart disease and dementia.

What is vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is commonly caused by a stroke. This happens when plaque or a clot blocks a blood vessel, limiting the supply of blood to the brain. It can also occur when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. Due to this, the brain tissue dies, increasing the chances of memory loss. Vascular dementia is caused by a string of these strokes, which lead to impaired memory and other problems. Because of this, brain health is related to and, at times, dependent on heart health. Taking care of your heart can significantly reduce the chances of heart disease as well as memory loss.

Ways to help prevent vascular dementia

While there are no fool-proof way to prevent vascular dementia, the following suggestions may help.

• Control and monitor your blood pressure for brain health. High blood pressure or hypertension is a precursor to heart disease. With high blood pressure, too much pressure is exerted on the blood vessels, which incurs the risk of heart disease. High blood pressure is often called a silent killer as symptoms tend to go ignored. It also increases the chances of dementia later in life. To prevent this, monitor your blood pressure and work closely with a doctor to avoid experiencing dementia.
• Practice heart health. What you feed your body can have an undeniable affect on your heart health. There are certain foods that are conducive to sound heart health. Incorporate fruits, vegetables, whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. If you have a history of heart disease in your family, you should limit your intake of alcohol and foods that have high sugar content and saturated fats.
• Exercise for the brain and body. Staying active is another way to ensure heart health and reduce the chance of vascular dementia. A sedentary lifestyle increases the chances of high blood pressure and obesity, another contributing factor to heart disease. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week.

Sound heart health is imperative for brain health, which in turn helps to prevent cognitive impairment conditions like dementia. Follow the tips above to enjoy a healthy heart and brain and do your part in keeping dementia at bay.