Long-Term Use of Cardiovascular Drugs Linked to Lower Dementia Risk, suggests research
Researchers have recently discovered that long-term use of cardiovascular drugs like antihypertensives, diuretics, lipid-lowering drugs, and oral anticoagulants appears to be associated with considerably reduced dementia risk. A recent study was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia conducted by Mozhu Ding and colleagues.
Cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with dementia development. Some earlier studies showed that managing cardiovascular conditions may reduce the risk of dementia. However, evidence remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the role of cardiovascular drug use, particularly its duration and combination, in preventing dementia.
This case-control study was conducted using Swedish national registers, including 88,065 individuals diagnosed with dementia between 2011 and 2016 and 880,650 age- and sex-matched controls. The study focused only on participants aged 70 years and older. Cardiovascular drug use was extracted from the Prescribed Drug Register and categorized into antihypertensives, diuretics, LLDs, OACs, and antiplatelets. Analysis was conducted on long-term use (≥5 years) and drug combinations.
Key findings of the study were as follows:
Reduced Risk with Long-Term Use:
• For long-term users of antihypertensives, diuretics, LLDs, and OACs, there was an associated reduced risk of dementia compared with non-users, of 25%-9% (odds ratios [OR]: 0.75–0.91).
Combination Therapy:
• An even greater reduced risk was observed for combination use of antihypertensives with diuretics, LLDs, and OACs for ≥5 years, at 16%-34% lower risk of dementia (OR: 0.66–0.84).
Negative Association with Antiplatelets:
• The antiplatelets use was related with increased risks of dementia, along with odds ratios that oscillate between 1.13 and 1.25 irrespective of duration.
Long-term use of cardiovascular drugs, particularly in combination therapies, has significantly decreased the risk of dementia, and preventive strategies against cognitive decline are being made. However, the need for personalized approaches in cardiovascular care for balance between the benefits and possible cognitive effects from antiplatelets points out a remaining gap that needs to be filled.
Reference:
Ding, M., Wennberg, A. M., Engström, G., & Modig, K. (2024). Use of common cardiovascular disease drugs and risk of dementia: A case–control study in Swedish national register data. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14389
