American Heart Association

05/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/14/2026 03:15

Prior heart attack linked to faster declines in thinking and memory skills

Prior heart attack linked to faster declines in thinking and memory skills

Cognitive impairment risk was higher among people with evidence of a prior heart attack, finds a new study in the Stroke journal

Research Highlights:

  • People who survived a heart attack had 5% higher odds each year of developing cognitive impairment compared to people who have not had a heart attack.
  • Maintaining better cardiovascular health plays an important role in preserving normal brain function long term.

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Thursday, May 14, 2026

DALLAS, May 14, 2026 - The chance of developing cognitive impairment was significantly higher for people who have had a heart attack, according to a study published today in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

"Having had a heart attack in the past may speed up the decline in memory and thinking over time," said study lead author Mohamed Ridha, M.D., an assistant professor of neurology at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. "Given the rising burden of dementia and cognitive decline among Americans, it is important to understand how cardiovascular disease affects their brain health. This knowledge can help heart attack survivors take steps to improve their brain health as they age."

In this study, researchers examined the potential relationship between a prior history of heart attack and the trajectory of cognitive function over time. The study included more than 20,000 adult men and women who underwent a medical interview and electrocardiogram at the start of the study to determine if they had a heart attack at any point in their past.

Over a 10-year follow-up period, participants underwent a simple cognitive screening with 6 questions once per year. The analysis adjusted for all factors that contribute to cognitive decline to identify the true impact of a prior heart attack.

The analysis found:

  • Compared to people without a previous heart attack, heart attack survivors had an average yearly 5% increased odds of developing cognitive impairment. This association was similar among Black and white adults, as well as men and women.
  • People with an undiagnosed (silent) heart attack were also found to have an accelerated rate of cognitive decline, compared to participants who had not had a heart attack.
  • Among women, a silent heart attack was more common than a medical diagnosis or self-reported heart attack.

"As people age, the risk of cognitive issues and dementia increases, and some people may be at higher risk of cognitive decline. Our study found that those who have had a heart attack, including silent heart attacks, are one of those groups at higher risk. It's important for clinicians who care for heart attack survivors to also provide counseling on ways to avoid cognitive decline and dementia," Ridha said.

The American Heart Association defines optimal heart and brain health through its Life's Essential 8™ metrics - four health behaviors (eat better, be more active, quit tobacco and get healthy sleep) and four health factors (healthy weight and manage cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar). This study adds more evidence that good heart health is linked to better brain health.

"This study highlights a group of people who may be at higher risk for conditions that affect memory and thinking over time," said Elisabeth Marsh, M.D., FAHA, chair of the 2026 American Heart Association Scientific Statement Brain Health Across the Lifespan. "A previous heart attack may be a sign of more widespread blood vessel disease throughout the body, not just in the heart. However, more research is needed to better understand what's really driving this connection and how damage in different blood vessels may be linked to changes in brain health." Marsh, who was not involved in this research, is a professor of neurology and associate director of the neurology residency program at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Stroke Center at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore.

To address the growing burden of age-related cognitive impairment, the American Heart Association and the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group have created the AHA-Allen Initiative in Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment. The two organizations, along with additional contributors, have committed more than $43 million toward research to advance the understanding of brain health and improve lives. More information about the awards given to fund brain health research is available here. In addition, the Association's Strategically Focused Research Network on Inflammation in Cardiac and Neurovascular Disease awarded $15 million to researchers to study inflammation's impact on heart and brain health.

Study details, background and design:

  • The analysis included health data for 20,923 men and women enrolled in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study.
  • Their average age was 63 years old, and 62% were white adults and 38% Black adults.
  • Participants were enrolled from 2003 to 2007 and had an electrocardiogram and no cognitive impairment at enrollment. REGARDS study data were collected from 2003 to 2017.
  • Evidence of a prior heart attack was identified in 10.4% of the participants: with 5.2% being self-reported, 1.3% confirmed by electrocardiogram (clinical), and 3.8% were unrecognized/silent heart attacks (no previous diagnosis of heart attack but evidence found on electrocardiogram). Participants were followed for a median of 10 years for cognitive decline.
  • The researchers adjusted for age, sex, race, geographic region in the U.S., education, income, exercise frequency, weight, blood pressure, kidney function, alcohol use, smoking, diabetes, depression, and any major cardiovascular events (stroke or heart attack) that occurred during the follow-up period.
  • The analysis examined the association between prior heart attack and change in overall cognitive function, assessed by annual telephone-based Six-Item Screener scores. The simple cognitive screening with 6 questions once per year. Participants were asked three orientation questions regarding the current year, month, and day of the week. They were then presented with three words (commonly "apple," "table," and "penny") and, after a short delay, asked to recall them. One point is assigned for each correct response, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 6, with lower scores indicating worse cognitive performance.

Some limitations of the study may affect the results. The analysis reviewed data from an ongoing, prospective study that was designed to compare stroke incidence in the southeastern U.S., known as the stroke belt. Additionally, the cognitive test used is a simple six-question test that only measures overall cognition rather than specific brain and mental functions.

Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript.

Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. A detailed listing of revenue from foundations and corporations including health insurance providers and the Association's overall financial information are available here.

Additional Resources:

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About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke - the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit stroke.org. Follow us on Facebook, X.

For Media Inquiries and American Heart Association Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173

Karen Astle: [email protected]

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heart.org and stroke.org

American Heart Association published this content on May 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 14, 2026 at 09:15 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]