Declines in Cognitive Skills May Signal Stroke Risk

Previously, a number of studies show that poor cardiovascular health may increase the risk of cognitive impairment, including difficulties with memory and learning. Kumar Rajan, from Rush University Medical Center (Illinois, USA), and colleagues analyzed data on cognitive function in 7,217 adults, ages 65 years and older.  Subjects took four tests every three years that evaluated short- and long-term memory, attention, awareness and other mental functions before and after a stroke. Researchers found that those with lower cognitive test scores before a stroke were at 61% higher chance of a stroke. After stroke, cognitive function declined almost twice as fast compared to those before stroke. And, stroke coupled with cognitive decline increased the risk of death. Observing that: “Baseline cognitive function was associated with incident stroke” and that: “Cognitive decline increased significantly after stroke relative to before stroke,” the study authors write that: “Cognitive decline increased mortality risk independent of the risk attributable to stroke and should be followed as a marker for both stroke and mortality.”