<img title="heart attack" src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/2018/jan/heart-hands.jpg" alt="heart attack" width="670" height="447" />Representational Image
Patients suffering from abnormal heartbeat, also known as atrial fibrillation, and diagnosed with carotid artery disease could be at an increased risk of developing dementia, according to a research.
Blockages in the carotid artery, which gradually build up as people age, restrict blood flow to the brain.
The study showed that the impact on the blood flow due to a combination of both the diseases increases the risk of developing dementia.
"The study stresses the continued need for physicians to monitor and screen patients for both carotid artery disease and atrial fibrillation, especially patients who have risk factors of either disease," said Victoria Jacobs, a clinical researcher at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Utah, US.
The findings were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society's 39th annual Scientific Sessions in Boston.
Previous studies had also proved that abnormal heart rhythms produce inconsistent blood flow to the brain contributing to the onset of dementia or a decrease in cognitive function.
Risk factors are similar for both the diseases and include age, weight, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. There is a higher chance of risk due to smoking.
However, "atrial fibrillation and carotid artery disease are treatable, and addressing early on can help reduce the risk of developing dementia", Jacobs said.
"Physicians should be discussing the treatment options with patients who are at risk to help educate them about what they can do to live the healthiest life possible."
For the study, the team looked at 6,786 patients of an average age of 71.6 years with carotid artery disease and no history of dementia and compared them with the group diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and those who were not diagnosed with it.
Catch up on all the latest <a title="mid-day news" href="https://www.mid-day.com/news" target="_blank">Crime, National, International and Hatke news</a> here. Also, download the new mid-day <a title="mid-day android app " href="https://goo.gl/8Xlcvr" target="_blank">Android</a> and <a title="mid-day iOS app" href="https://goo.gl/KQziH4" target="_blank">iOS</a> apps to get latest updates
<div id=":74.co" class="JL">
<div id=":78.ma" class="Mu SP" style="text-align: justify;" data-tooltip="February 20, 2018 at 6:39:14 PM UTC+5:30">This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.</div>
</div>

Can Vitamin D therapy tackle diabetes, cancer?

Blockages in the carotid artery, which gradually build up as people age, restrict blood flow to the brain

Irregular heart rate, carotid disease may up dementia risk

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Lifestyle / Health & Fitness / Article / Irregular heart rate, carotid disease may up dementia risk

Irregular heart rate, carotid disease may up dementia risk

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast