Framington Heart Study

A newly published study is telling us that dementia rates in the U.S. have fallen by 44% since the late ‘70’s in the primarily white cohort that was observed over three decades. The good news is that there seems to be some association between a decline in heart disease and stroke and the incidence of dementia.

The Framington Heart Study looked at 5,205 people over the age of 60 and, as with previous studies, found those with higher education had better health. This is being attributed to those with at least high school graduation under their belts accessing better jobs with health care and having a better awareness of proper nutrition and exercise. There was no change in dementia rates for those who didn’t achieve at least high school graduation.

Noted also was the improvement in health care over the years for those who have had strokes or heart disease. In the early years of the study stroke survivors were found to be nine times as likely to develop some form of dementia. Toward the end of the study stroke survivors were just under two times as likely to develop dementia and were diagnosed later in life indicating a marked improvement.

Dr. Sudha Seshadri cautions that heart disease is also linked to diabetes and obesity which are both increasing in the United States.

Follow this link to read more about the Framington Heart Study and be sure to follow the Risk Functions link where you’ll find calculators that can give you an idea of the risks you face for a variety of diseases and conditions.