Roundup: History of Heart Attack May Raise Risk of Cognitive Decline; and More News

Heart Attack Survivors May Face Higher Risk of Memory Decline, Study Finds

People who survive a heart attack may face a greater risk of developing problems with memory and thinking as they age, according to new research published in Stroke, a journal of the American Stroke Association.

Researchers found that adults with a history of heart attack had about a 5 percent higher chance each year of developing cognitive impairment, compared to people who had never experienced a heart attack. Cognitive impairment refers to difficulties with memory, attention, learning, or decision-making that go beyond normal aging.

Long-Term Brain Health Concerns

The study followed more than 20,000 adults over a median period of 10 years. Participants were an average age of 63 at the start of the research and did not show signs of cognitive impairment when enrolled. Researchers tracked participants’ heart health and conducted yearly cognitive screenings using a simple six-question memory and orientation test.

In a news release, lead author, Mohamed Ridha, M.D., a neurologist at The Ohio State University, said the findings highlight a growing concern as rates of dementia and age-related cognitive decline continue to rise in the United States. He noted that people who have experienced a heart attack may need additional support to protect brain health later in life.

Silent Heart Attacks Also Linked to Decline

The research also identified risks among people who had “silent” heart attacks. A silent heart attack occurs when damage to the heart happens without obvious symptoms, meaning a person may not realize they had one. In the study, these individuals also experienced faster cognitive decline than participants with no history of heart attack. Silent heart attacks were especially common among women.

Researchers adjusted for many factors that can influence brain health, including age, race, education, exercise habits, smoking, diabetes, blood pressure, depression, and other cardiovascular events. Even after accounting for these variables, the link between heart attacks and cognitive decline remained significant.

Healthy Habits May Help Protect the Brain

Experts say the findings reinforce the close connection between heart health and brain health. Poor circulation and damage to blood vessels may affect not only the heart, but also the brain over time.

The American Heart Association recommends maintaining healthy habits to support both cardiovascular and cognitive health. Its “Life’s Essential 8” guidelines encourage people to eat nutritious foods, stay physically active, avoid tobacco, get enough sleep, maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, control blood sugar, and keep a healthy weight.

Researchers caution that the study does not prove heart attacks directly cause dementia. The cognitive screening used in the study was also relatively simple and did not measure all aspects of brain function. Still, the findings suggest that monitoring brain health may become an important part of long-term care for heart attack survivors.

Heart Health May Decline During Perimenopause, Study Finds

Women moving through perimenopause and menopause may experience a significant decline in heart health, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers say the findings highlight the importance of monitoring cardiovascular risk factors during midlife, especially during the transition into menopause.

Perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and menstrual cycles may become irregular. Women often experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes and sleep disturbances during this time. Menopause is officially reached after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.

Midlife Hormonal Changes and Cardiovascular Risk

The study found that women in perimenopause were twice as likely to have poor cardiovascular health scores compared to women who were still having regular menstrual cycles. Researchers analyzed health data from more than 9,200 women across the United States collected between 2007 and 2020. The women ranged in age from 18 to 80 and did not have a history of cardiovascular disease.

To measure heart health, researchers used the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8” metrics. These include diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body weight. Each participant received a score from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better cardiovascular health.

Higher Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels Linked to Lower Heart Health Scores

The results showed that overall heart health scores declined as women advanced through different reproductive stages. Premenopausal women had a median score of 73.3, while perimenopausal women scored 69.1 and postmenopausal women scored 63.9. Researchers found that rising cholesterol and blood sugar levels were among the main reasons for the decline.

Hormonal changes may play a role in these shifts. Estrogen, a hormone that helps regulate cholesterol, blood sugar and blood vessel function, fluctuates during perimenopause. Researchers believe these changes may contribute to worsening cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin resistance and high blood pressure.

The study also found that diet scores were consistently low across all groups and tended to worsen over time. Researchers said this suggests nutrition may be one of the most important areas for improvement.

Experts Encourage Women to Screen Early and Adopt Heart-Healthy Habits

Researchers recommend heart-healthy habits such as regular exercise and following eating plans like the DASH diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lower sodium intake.

Experts involved in the study say women should view perimenopause as an opportunity to reassess their health. Routine screening for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar may help identify problems earlier and allow for lifestyle changes or treatment before heart disease develops.

Researchers plan to continue studying women over time to better understand how hormone changes during perimenopause affect long-term cardiovascular health and whether lifestyle interventions can reduce future risk.

Most Adults Carry a Cocktail of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Their Blood, Study Finds

A large new study has found that nearly everyone tested carries multiple types of PFAS — a group of man-made chemicals linked to serious health problems — in their blood. And researchers say we need to start thinking about what these chemicals do together, not just one at a time.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of over 15,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s to make products nonstick, waterproof, and heat-resistant. You'll find them in cookware coatings, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam. Because they don't break down in the environment or the human body, they've earned the nickname "forever chemicals." Studies have linked PFAS exposure to certain cancers, thyroid and hormonal disruption, high cholesterol, and reproductive problems.

What the Study Found

Researchers at NMS Labs in Horsham, Pennsylvania analyzed blood samples from 10,566 people between December 2023 and December 2024. The results were striking:

• 98.8 percent of samples contained at least one detectable PFAS
• Only 19 people (less than 0.2 percent) had just a single type of PFAS in their blood
• Most people had five or more different PFAS simultaneously
• Researchers identified 58 unique chemical combinations across samples
• The most common mix — six specific PFAS chemicals together — appeared in roughly 1 in 4 people tested

Why Mixtures Matter

Until now, doctors and regulators have mostly looked at each PFAS chemical individually — flagging it if it's above a certain level. But this study reinforces a growing concern: when multiple chemicals are present at the same time, they may act together to cause greater harm than any single chemical would on its own.

This is called an additive or synergistic effect — similar to how alcohol and certain medications can be far more dangerous combined than either would be separately. Laboratory studies on liver cells and fish embryos have already shown that PFAS mixtures can intensify developmental and toxic effects compared to single exposures.

What This Means for You

The good news: a positive blood test for PFAS doesn't automatically mean you'll get sick. Other factors like diet, weight, and lifestyle also influence health outcomes.

The concerning part: current medical guidelines and government regulations mostly evaluate PFAS chemicals one at a time — which may significantly underestimate real-world risk.

The U.S. EPA established drinking water limits for several individual PFAS in 2024, and briefly moved toward regulating some as a group — though that mixture-based approach is currently under review.

This study, one of the largest of its kind, makes a clear case: PFAS exposure is nearly universal, and it almost never happens in isolation. Scientists and doctors are being urged to update their approach to testing and risk assessment to reflect the chemical cocktails most people are actually carrying — not just the individual ingredients.