A recent study suggests that long-term use of common medications for cardiovascular health may be linked to a reduced risk of dementia later in life. The research, published in November 2024, adds to a growing body of evidence exploring potential preventative strategies for the debilitating neurological condition.
A large group of medications are involved, including some antidepressants and antihistamines
Long-term cognitive impact and dementia risk
Researchers found a 71 percent increased risk among those who used multiple medications
Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have found a potential link between long-term use of cardiovascular medications and a lower risk of developing dementia. The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analyzed data from nearly 1.8 million individuals.
The research team examined health records of approximately 88,000 people over the age of 70 who had received a dementia diagnosis, comparing them to a control group of nearly 900,000 individuals. They focused on the long-term use – defined as five years or more – of medications commonly prescribed for heart conditions.
“We can see a clear connection between long-term use of these medications and a reduced development of dementia in older age,” said Mozhu Ding, Associate Professor at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. The study found that long-term use of blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, diuretics and blood thinners was associated with a 4 to 25 percent lower risk of dementia.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that combinations of these medications offered a stronger protective effect than using them individually. Though, the use of antiplatelet medications – often prescribed to prevent stroke – appeared to be associated with a higher risk of dementia. Researchers theorize this may be due to an increased risk of microbleeds in the brain.
The findings, also reported by Senioren and forskning.se, highlight the importance of identifying preventative measures for dementia, a condition for which there is currently no cure.
“We do not have a cure for dementia today, so We see important to uncover preventative measures,” explained Alexandra Wennberg, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine. “This study is important for being able to find new treatment approaches when it comes to dementia.”
