Irregular Heartbeat in Old Age Leads to Memory and Thinking Decline

A study published in the journal Neurology states that old people who suffer from rapid irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, are most likely to also develop memory and thinking problems.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in old age, and in most cases, increases the risk of stroke. It causes no symptoms but is mostly linked with chest pain, fainting and heart failure.

"Problems with memory and thinking are common for people as they get older. Our study shows that on average, problems with memory and thinking may start earlier or get worse more quickly in people who have atrial fibrillation," study author Evan L. Thacker, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said in a press statement. "This means that heart health is an important factor related to brain health."

The study was conducted on older people belonging to four different communities in the U.S. They belonged to the age group of 65 and had enrolled themselves in a Cardiovascular Health Study. None of them had a history of AF or stroke at the beginning of the study. The researchers tracked the participants for seven years, and every year they got a 100-point memory and thinking test. Out of 5,150 participants, 11 percent of them had developed AF during the study period.

The researchers noticed that those with AF were more likely to get lower scores in memory and thinking at early ages when compared to those with no history of AF. For people aged 75, the average rate of decline was three to four points faster per five years of aging with AF, when compared to those who didn't have the condition.

The researchers predict that on an average, those with AF are most likely to suffer with cognitive impairments or dementia, that too at an early age. In the 100-point test, those below 78 points are suggestive of dementia.

Next, the researchers plan on studying the reason why decline occurs and develop some techniques to prevent it.