Cardiovascular disease and dementia are significant public health issues that impose substantial burdens on healthcare systems and society alike. A recent study conducted by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has revealed that the prolonged use of widely prescribed cardiovascular medications is linked to a decreased risk of developing dementia in later life.
Mozhu Ding, an assistant professor at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and a leading study author, highlighted the study’s findings. “We observe a consistent association between the extended use—five years or more—of these medications and a lowered risk of dementia as individuals age,” Ding explained. This study utilised extensive data from Swedish national registers, incorporating about 88,000 individuals aged over 70 who were diagnosed with dementia between 2011 and 2016, alongside 880,000 control subjects. The analysis included data on cardiovascular drugs sourced from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.
The findings indicated that the long-term administration of medications such as antihypertensives, cholesterol-lowering agents, diuretics, and anticoagulants correlated with a 4 to 25 per cent reduction in dementia risk. Notably, the combined use of these drugs showed even more significant protective effects than their individual use. Alexandra Wennberg, another lead author and affiliated researcher at the Institute, commented on the study’s approach: “Unlike previous research, which often focused on specific drugs and targeted patient groups, our study adopts a more comprehensive perspective.”
However, the research also presented some contrasting results, particularly concerning antiplatelet drugs commonly used to prevent strokes and reduce clotting. These drugs were associated with an increased risk of dementia, potentially due to their role in promoting microbleeds within the brain, which are linked to cognitive decline.
This study is considered a crucial step towards developing new interventions for dementia, a condition currently without a cure. “Finding preventive strategies is vital since we do not yet have a cure for dementia,” Wennberg stressed. The researchers emphasised the need for further research, particularly randomised controlled clinical trials, to deepen understanding of the mechanisms underlying these observations. They also plan to explore how dietary and lifestyle factors and cardiovascular drug treatments influence dementia risk. This holistic approach could potentially unveil new preventive measures against dementia, enriching our strategies for managing these pervasive public health challenges.
More information: Mozhu Ding et al, Use of common cardiovascular disease drugs and risk of dementia: A case–control study in Swedish national register data, Alzheimer’s & Dementia. DOI: 10.1002/alz.14389
Journal information: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Provided by Karolinska Institutet
