Taking drugs for ldl cholesterol and blood stress would possibly look like a well being burden for a lot of. However there’s excellent news for individuals who should depend upon cardiovascular drugs. Researchers have discovered that past their cardiovascular advantages, long-term use of those medicine, particularly when utilized in mixture, might provide safety in opposition to dementia.
The most recent examine performed by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden revealed using frequent cardiovascular medicine for greater than 5 years is related to a decreased threat of dementia later in life.
“Earlier research have centered on particular person medicine and particular affected person teams however on this examine, we take a broader method,” stated Alexandra Wennberg, a lead creator of the paper.
The examine analyzed dementia threat utilizing information from Swedish nationwide registers, involving round 88,000 people over the age of 70 who had been recognized with dementia between 2011 and 2016. It additionally included 880,000 management individuals. The researchers obtained information concerning the individuals’ use of cardiovascular medicine from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.
“The outcomes present that long-term use of antihypertensive medicine, cholesterol-lowering medicine, diuretics, and blood-thinning medicine is related to between 4 and 25 p.c decrease threat of dementia. Mixtures of the medicine had stronger protecting results than in the event that they had been used alone,” the information launch said.
Nevertheless, the researchers famous that using antiplatelet medicine for stroke prevention could also be related to a better threat of dementia. This may very well be as a result of elevated threat of microbleeds within the mind attributable to these medicine, that are linked to cognitive decline.
“The affiliation between using frequent cardiovascular medicine and dementia threat means that these pathways could also be explored for the event of dementia remedy although future analysis is important. Conversely, as a result of antiplatelets are generally used, it is very important additional perceive any long-term damaging results on cognitive outcomes.
Researchers consider that the brand new discovering provides an vital piece of the puzzle for locating new therapies for dementia. Additionally, for the reason that examine noticed cognitive decline related to antiplatelet use, it highlights the necessity to think about their potential long-term cognitive results when prescribing these drugs.
“We at present don’t have any remedy for dementia, so it is vital to seek out preventive measures,” stated Wennberg.
