Memory Problems May Signal an Increased Risk of Stroke

If a loved one is having memory problems, don't be too quick to dismiss it as old age. Most people think of cognitive problems as being a forerunner to Alzheimer's, but new research shows it could signal a higher risk for stroke.

Memory Problems and the Risk of Stroke

This observation comes from a recent study called the Regards trial, a study which followed over 30,000 adults 45 years or older for 4.5 years. One group of older adults took tests to measure their short-term memory and another group their verbal fluency at the beginning of the study. Both groups were observed over the course of the study to determine their rate of stroke.

What did they find? Among these apparently healthy older adults, those who scored lower on verbal and memory tests had more strokes than those who had better memory and verbal fluency on testing. In fact, adults who scored in the bottom 20% on the memory test had a nine times greater risk of stroke compared to the highest scorers. The higher stroke risk persisted even after researchers controlled for factors such as educational level, race and sex.

Cognitive Problems: Are They a Sign of Future Stroke?

It's not wise to reach conclusions based on one study, but there are reasons why memory and cognitive problems may signal a higher risk of stroke. The most common type of stroke, called an ischemic stroke, happens when an artery that supplies the brain with blood and oxygen is blocked. This may be due to a blood clot or plaque in the artery that cuts off the flow of blood to the brain.

A person can have build-up of plaque in their arteries for years before a portion of it breaks off and blocks blood flow, leading to a stroke. This plaque build-up can cause subtle cognitive and memory problems for months or years before a stroke finally occurs. Thus, memory problems may be a sign of plaque build-up in the arteries, or atherosclerosis - a forerunner to stroke.

What Does This Mean?

Memory problems, especially in people over the age of 50, should be taken seriously, especially if they occur in people at high risk of stroke because of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol problems or a strong family history. Once a stroke happens, it's difficult to recover any function that's lost. Memory and cognitive problems may be the only warning signs - and a clear signal that it's time to see a doctor before a stroke strikes.

References:

Medscape.com. "Cognitive Problems May Signal Increased Stroke Risk"