This post is not intended to scare anyone. The issue with dementia is an uncomfortable one, but needs exploring on both a medical and individual level, if we are to help ourselves and be empowered along our path towards enjoying good health. Aged 53, I'm only just beginning to link my own problems of 'word finding' and 'word retrieval' difficulties with having AF.
If anyone reading this has any worries about their own health issues, they should seek medical advice.
The following article provides a review of current research:
ecrjournal.com/articles/atr...
Here are some of the findings:
'In a study in Germany... those people with AF performed significantly worse in learning, memory and executive function tasks'.
'...they found that persistent but not paroxysmal AF was associated with lower cognitive function. These findings suggest that AF burden, in addition to its presence, may influence cognitive function.'
'The association (of dementia) was stronger in women and younger (<65 years of age) participants.'
'AF is associated with at least a doubling of stroke risk and the effects of stroke on cognitive function are well established. Despite this, elevated stroke risk does not completely mediate the increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline associated with AF. Other mechanisms such as silent cerebral infarcts, microbleeds associated with oral anticoagulation and cerebral hypoperfusion are likely to play a role.' 'Patients with AF have been found to have reduced cerebral perfusion'.
'Hypoperfusion' stood out for me. It is an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients (to the brain). When I'm in AF, I'm often short of breath, and also feel like I can't think or concentrate. So I'm currently training myself to breathe more deeply at regular intervals.
Also, 'A recent analysis comparing the risk of dementia in patients with AF using warfarin versus non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants reported a lower risk of dementia among non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant users.'
Again, this post is not intended to scare anyone. On the contrary - these research findings should be used by all of us AF sufferers as a way of increasing our self-knowledge and self-empowerment. We should be able to have informed discussions with our doctors, about the ways in which we can prevent secondary issues such as cognitive impairment.
I’m hoping we can have a useful discussion of the ways we can all support our healthy cognitive functioning! :o)