Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Cognitive Function: the Tromsø Study

Background And Purpose: The role of cardiovascular risk factors in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment and dementia remains still unclear. We examined the impact of cardiovascular risk factors on cognitive function in a large longitudinal population study.

Methods: Subjects were 5033 stroke-free men and women who participated in a longitudinal population-based study. Cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline, and cognitive function was assessed after 7 years of follow-up with verbal memory test, digit-symbol coding test, and tapping test.

Results: Diabetes, systolic blood pressure, and current smoking were independently associated with lower cognitive test results in men and women. Low physical activity was independently associated with lower scores in women. We found no consistent association between total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, coronary heart disease or BMI, and cognitive test results.

Conclusions: Diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and low physical activity were associated with lower cognitive test results. The study suggests that these modifiable risk factors should be emphasized in the prevention of cognitive decline.