The vital link between heart health and ageing well

As part of Heart Research Australia’s REDFEB initiative, the month dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease, millions of Australians are being reminded that maintaining a healthy heart is essential not just for your heart but also for your brain.

With cardiovascular disease affecting more than 4 million Australians and remaining the leading cause of death, it’s more important than ever to understand how your heart health can directly impact your brain, memory, and overall cognitive function.

“Heart health and brain health are intimately connected,” says Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Miranda Say.

“The brain relies on a steady supply of blood from the heart. Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol can disrupt blood flow, increasing the risk of stroke and cognitive decline, including dementia.”

In Australia, more than 421,000 people are living with dementia in 2024 — a number projected to double by 2054. Vascular dementia, which is linked to cardiovascular health, is a growing concern.

This REDFEB, Heart Research Australia is urging all Australians to prioritise heart health by adopting simple, proactive lifestyle changes that can significantly impact long-term well-being.

Nicci Dent, CEO of Heart Research Australia, stresses the importance of taking action now.

“Prioritising heart health isn’t just about preventing heart attacks—it’s also about safeguarding your brain health and reducing your future risk of cognitive decline, including dementia. The message is simple, what’s good for your heart health is also good for your brain health” she said.

With that in mind, Heart Research Australia is encouraging Australians to adopt their 4-M Approach, small, simple steps that can benefit both their heart and brain health:

• Meals: High cholesterol levels can not only block the arteries of the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease, but also those leading to the brain impairing blood flow, which is crucial for cognitive health. Recent Australian research demonstrated that high cholesterol plays a key role in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Heart Research Australia nutritionist Chloe Steele says “it’s important to know what you are eating and understand how to read the backs of packets. Avoiding processed foods and keeping your diet simple and fresh can help support your heart and brain health”.
• Movement: As we age, incorporating functional strength training — focusing on balance and strength — into our weekly routines, along with aerobic exercise like walking, becomes essential. This combination of aerobic and resistance training can help lower blood pressure, increase good cholesterol, reduce bad cholesterol, and even promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections.
• Measurement: Regular health check-ups to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar are crucial. “Knowing your numbers” is key to preventing cardiovascular disease and helping protect cognitive functions. During REDFEB, Heart Research Australia encourages Australians to take control of their health by regularly scheduling these vital check-ups, ensuring they stay heart and brain healthy.
• Mental Wellness: High blood pressure and high cholesterol often go unnoticed in daily life, but they can significantly harm both your heart and brain, impacting cognition and memory. Beyond knowing your numbers and managing these risk factors, incorporate regular mindfulness moments into your day.  These short breaks allow you to reset your thinking and can greatly support cognitive and cardiovascular health. This REDFEB, build positive habits that will make a lasting difference for your future well-being.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.