CNN Digital – Known as A-fib, atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat often described by many people who have it as a “quiver,” “flutter” or “flip-flop” of the heart in the chest.
Atrial fibrillation is the leading cause of stroke(opens in a new tab) in the U.S. In addition, strokes connected to A-fib tend to be “more severe than strokes with other underlying causes,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(opens in a new tab).
Small brain bleeds, called microhemorrhages, that can lead to cognitive decline are more common in people with atrial fibrillation, according to the new scientific statement.
In fact, people with A-fib have a 39 per cent increased risk of memory or thinking problems.
The rate of atrial fibrillation in the U.S. is growing — estimates(opens in a new tab) suggest up to 16 million people will have A-fib by 2050.
Focus on lifestyle changes
Modern medicine has amazing drugs — such as statins and cholesterol-lowering medications — that can prevent or slow heart disease, especially if caught early, Freeman said. Regular checkups and taking prescribed medications on a daily basis are critical to making that happen, he added.
However, there is a limit to what drugs can accomplish. For example, aggressively treating high blood pressure has shown promise in reducing mild cognitive impairment but not dementia, the AHA statement said.
“Humans were designed to live very differently than we live today, and it’s imperative that people understand how unbelievably important lifestyle is,” Freeman said.
What are the key lifestyle factors that boost brain health? Nothing you haven’t heard before.
Prioritize sleep
Being well-rested boosts mood, improves energy and sharpens the brain. People who have more interrupted sleep in their 30s and 40s are more than twice as likely to have memory and thinking problems a decade later, a January study found …
