Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Clinical Developments:

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE LINKED TO HIGHER DEMENTIA RISK

A new study shows a definite link between cardiovascular disease and dementia, including Alzheimers disease.

The findings suggest that nursing facilities be on the lookout for signs of dementia in residents with cardiovascular disease and vice versa.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientist Anne Newman has found that the risk of dementia increased about 30 percent in those with a history of clinical cardiovascular disease or markers for cardiovascular disease, such as an abnormal EKG. The risk was greatest in subjects with peripheral arterial disease, according to Newman.

The studys findings, presented at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society, are part of the Cardiovascular Health Study, which looked at over 5,000 people over age 65 for 10 years, ending in 1999.

Other Articles in this issue of

Long-Term Care Survey Alert

View All