Roundup: Higher Heart, Stroke Risks Linked to Vision, Hearing Loss at Middle-Age or Older; and More News

Vision and Hearing Loss at Middle-Age or Older Linked to Higher Heart Disease, Stroke Risks

A new study finds a connection between sensory impairments — specifically vision and hearing difficulties — and an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart attacks and strokes, in middle-aged and older adults.

Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the new research highlights the importance of addressing sensory deficits as part of a comprehensive approach to heart health.

The study analyzed data from over 11,000 adults aged 45 and older who had no prior history of cardiovascular disease. Participants provided insights about their hearing and vision in 2011. And after seven years, the researchers followed up to see how many had been diagnosed with various cardiovascular conditions, including stroke and heart attack.

The results:

• Adults with vision problems alone had a 24 percent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• Those with hearing loss were 20 percent more likely to face similar issues.
• Importantly, participants experiencing both hearing and vision impairments had a staggering 35 percent increased risk.

In the United States, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, especially as the population ages. About 13 percent of U.S. adults experience vision impairment, while about 15 percent of adults struggle with hearing loss, even with hearing aids. As we age, these numbers grow significantly. By age 71, more than a quarter of people may have vision issues, and over half of those aged 75 and older experience disabling hearing loss.

These statistics underline the need for proactive measures, researchers say. Screening for and treating sensory deficits — whether through eyeglasses or hearing aids —may significantly improve cardiovascular health in this demographic.

In a news release by the American Heart Association (AHA), the study's senior author, Xiaowei Zheng, M.D., of the Public Health Research Center at Jiangnan University Wuxi School of Medicine in China, stated: "We look forward to future research to assess the effect of wearing glasses or hearing aids on the development" of cardiovascular disease.

While previous studies have shown a link between cardiovascular disease and people with hearing loss, vision problems or a combination of both, the researchers said their study was different in that it compared all three scenarios, the AHA states.

Regular Exercise, Even Just on Weekends, Can Help Prevent Mild Dementia, Study Finds

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to exercise can be a challenge. However, recent research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine highlights an encouraging message: even if you can only squeeze in workouts on the weekends, you're still making a significant impact on cognitive health.

A team of researchers from Latin America and Europe set out to explore how the frequency of exercise relates to the risk of developing mild dementia. Their findings revealed that "weekend warriors"— those who engage in physical activity once or twice a week— may experience similar protective benefits against mild cognitive impairment as those who exercise more regularly.

This is particularly good news for those juggling busy schedules, proving that you don’t need a perfect routine to reap the rewards of exercise.

Mild dementia --  or “mild cognitive impairment” -- is a condition in which people have more memory or thinking problems than other people their age. Symptoms are not as severe as those of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

The study examined data from the Mexico City Prospective Study, which has followed the health of thousands over several years. In the initial survey conducted between 1998 and 2004, participants were asked about their exercise habits, including how often and how long they exercised. Based on their responses, the researchers categorized individuals into four groups:

1. Non-exercisers
2. Weekend warriors (one or two sessions per week)
3. Regularly active (three or more times a week)
4. Combined group of regular exercisers and weekend warriors

In a follow-up survey, researchers assessed the cognitive function of participants using the Mini Mental State Examination, a widely recognized tool for screening cognitive impairment and dementia.

The results were promising. Weekend warriors were found to be 13 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to non-exercisers. Meanwhile, those who exercised regularly also saw a 12 percent reduction in risk. Importantly, these benefits were consistent across both men and women.

The researchers concluded that if all middle-aged individuals could incorporate just one or two exercise sessions into their week, approximately 13 percent of mild dementia cases could potentially be avoided.

Researchers: How Balancing on One Leg Can Determine Your Heath as You Age

A new study highlights key aspects of health for those aged 50 and older: Balance, gait and strength. Researchers tested how long participants could hold a one-legged stance. They discovered that balance declines significantly with age, even more so than other factors like gait speed and muscle strength.

Forty participants in good health took part in the study, which is published in the journal PLOS One. Researchers found that the ability to maintain a one-legged stance decreased at a rate of 2.2 seconds per decade on the nondominant side, and 1.7 seconds on the dominant side for both men and women. This decline is notable compared to other measurements like grip strength, which declined by 3.7 percent, and knee strength, which declined by 1.4 percent per decade.

"Balance is an important measure because, in addition to muscle strength, it requires input from vision, the vestibular system and the somatosensory systems," said Kenton Kaufman, Ph.D., senior author of the study and director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, in a news release. "Changes in balance are noteworthy. If you have poor balance, you're at risk of falling, whether or not you're moving. Falls are a severe health risk with serious consequences."

So, how long should you be able to balance on one leg? Dr. Kaufman advises that those who can’t hold the stance for more than five seconds may be at an increased risk of falling. A previous study even suggested that individuals unable to stand unsupported on one leg for 10 seconds have a 84 percent higher risk of death from any cause.

Here are some general guidelines for one-legged balance times, based on the study’s findings:

• Ages 69 and younger: Aim for at least 30 seconds
• Ages 70 to 79: Aim for about 20 seconds
• Ages 80 and older: Aim for at least 10 seconds

Researchers used a specially made device to measure participants' grip. For the knee strength test, participants were in a seated position and instructed to extend their knee as forcefully as possible. Both the grip and knee strength tests were on the dominant side. Grip and knee strength showed significant declines by decade -- but not as much as balance.

Improving your balance is crucial for injury prevention and overall well-being. Consider incorporating balance exercises into your routine to help maintain this important aspect of health as you age.