Cited by 109Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchCardiovascular Health and Risk FactorsNeurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

A Primary Care Agenda for Brain Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

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Lazar, Ronald M., Howard, Virginia J., Kernan, Walter N., Aparicio, Hugo J., Levine, Deborah A., Viera, Anthony J., Jordan, Lori C., Nyenhuis, David L. +4 more·2021·Stroke

Abstract

A healthy brain is critical for living a longer and fuller life. The projected aging of the population, however, raises new challenges in maintaining quality of life. As we age, there is increasing compromise of neuronal activity that affects functions such as cognition, also making the brain vulnerable to disease. Once pathology-induced decline begins, few therapeutic options are available. Prevention is therefore paramount, and primary care can play a critical role. The purpose of this American Heart Association scientific statement is to provide an up-to-date summary for primary care providers in the assessment and modification of risk factors at the individual level that maintain brain health and prevent cognitive impairment. Building on the 2017 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association presidential advisory on defining brain health that included “Life’s Simple 7,” we describe here modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, including depression, hypertension, physical inactivity, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, poor diet, smoking, social isolation, excessive alcohol use, sleep disorders, and hearing loss. These risk factors include behaviors, conditions, and lifestyles that can emerge before adulthood and can be routinely identified and managed by primary care clinicians.

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Authors
Lazar, R. M., Howard, V. J., Kernan, W. N., Aparicio, H. J., Levine, D. A., Viera, A. J., Jordan, L. C., Nyenhuis, D. L., Possin, K. L., Sorond, F. A., White, C. L., & on behalf of the American Heart Association Stroke Council
Venue
Stroke
Published
2021-06
Volume
52
Issue
6
Pages
e295-e308
ISSN
  • 0039-2499 (ISSN-L)
  • 1524-4628
OpenAlex
W3138548852
Cited by
109
References
155
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 8
FWCI
2.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Stroke (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (U10NS086728, UH3NS105557, L30 NS093634, U24NS107223)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
brain health, cognitive decline, cognitive impairment prevention, primary care, modifiable risk factors, Life's Simple 7, depression, hypertension, physical inactivity, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, unhealthy diet, smoking, social isolation, excessive alcohol use, sleep disorders, hearing loss, aging
MeSH terms
American Heart Association, Brain, Health Status, Humans, Hypertension, Primary Health Care, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Social Isolation, United States, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Stroke, Risk Reduction Behavior, Cognitive Dysfunction

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