Association of Cardiovascular Health Metrics with Dementia in Rural Chinese Older Adults: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Purpose We explore the associations of individual and composite cardiovascular health metrics with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia among rural-dwelling older adults and the potential age variations in their associations. Patients and Methods This community-based cross-sectional study included 4980 older adults (age ≥65 years; 57.23% women) from the baseline examination of MIND-China. In March–September 2018, data were collected via face-to-face interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory test. We defined six cardiovascular health metrics according to the modified American Heart Association’s recommendations. We diagnosed dementia and its subtypes following the international criteria. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models. Results Of all the participants, 250 were diagnosed with dementia, including 165 with Alzheimer’s disease and 75 with vascular dementia. Ideal composite global cardiovascular health metrics (vs poor composite metrics) were associated with a multi-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.62 (0.42–0.93) for dementia, 0.88 (0.52–1.48) for Alzheimer’s disease, and 0.31 (0.16–0.60) for vascular dementia. Moreover, ideal biological cardiovascular health metrics were associated with multi-adjusted odds ratio of 0.52 (0.28–0.95) for dementia and 0.21 (0.06–0.77) for vascular dementia in young–old adults (65–74 years), whereas ideal behavioral cardiovascular health metrics were associated with multi-adjusted odds ratio of 0.48 (0.26–0.89) for dementia and 0.16 (0.06–0.43) for vascular dementia in old–old adults (≥75 years). Conclusion Our results suggest that ideal cardiovascular health metrics are cross-sectionally associated with a low likelihood of dementia and vascular dementia among rural-dwelling older Chinese adults. The associations vary with age, components of cardiovascular health metrics, and dementia subtypes.

Association of late-life blood pressure change with cerebral small vessel disease in the MIND-China study

“…Doctors at local town hospitals use commercial electronic blood pressure monitors (Omron HEM-7127J; Omron Corporation, Kyoto, Japan) to measure the arterial blood pressure of all participants [ 11 ]. For each blood pressure measurement, the subjects were required to sit still for 5 min so that the cuff was aligned with the heart level.…”

Association of Cardiovascular Health with Cognitive Function in US Older Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…The associations between CVH and cognitive function have been examined before. Guided by LS7, a number of studies demonstrated favorable CVH scores in reducing the risk of cognitive impairments and dementia [22,23]. Specifically, the protective effects of LS7 were detected to correlate with better cognitive function among older US adults [24].…”