Strengths:
- The probability of cognitive decline and other health conditions having an impact on the brain increases with age, so medical advances and other factors help the world population to live longer, the prevalence of brain diseases, including dementia, is increasing.
- According to the update of statistics on heart disease and stroke of the American Heart Association, nearly 56 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia – more than 6.9 million of them are in the United States
- An analysis of the Medicare data reported in the statistical update believes that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia within the American population will be more than double to 13.9 million Americans by 2060.
- Experts say that almost half of the risk factors for brain disease can be modified; And that brain health can be improved thanks to a healthy diet, exercise and control of blood pressure, among other risk factors that are also linked to cardiovascular disease.
Dallas, March 12, 2025 – The average adult brain weighs only 3 books, but it is one of the most complex and vital organs of the human body. Cognition can decrease and our Brains become subjects to diseases as we ageas medical advances and other factors help the world population to live longer the prevalence of brain diseases, especially dementiais increasing. However, keeping our brain in good health can be easier than people do it with useful advice from the American Heart Association, a global force modifying the future of all.
Optimal brain health Includes the functional capacity to perform all the various tasks for which the brain is responsible – including thought, movement and feeling. Many modifiable risk factors for cognitive lossLike an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle, develop from childhood and adolescence. As we get older, our ability to remember, solve problems, think and communicate decreases.
“We now know that many of the same health risk factors that cause heart disease And stroke Also contributes to a drop in overall brain health, “said Mitchell SV Elkind, MD, MS, Faha, neurologist and former volunteer president of the American Heart Association and currently his manager of clinical sciences. “Just like with heart disease and brain vascular accidents, most brain diseases are avoidable. However, the combination of an aging population and the substantial increases projected of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes should cause unprecedented growth in many types of brain diseases. »»
According to data reported in the 2025 Statistics of heart disease and brain vascular accidents: a report of American and world data from the American Heart Association::
- Alzheimer’s disease is 7th Cause of main death in the United States and the main cause of death among all neurological disorders, including cerebral vascular accidents.
- More women than males die of dementia each year due to the higher prevalence of elderly women compared to men. Women represented 66.7% of deaths by American dementia in 2022.
- In the United States, more than 6.9 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease.
- An analysis of the Medicare data reported in the update estimates that the prevalence will be more than double at 13.9 million Americans by 2060.
Also reported in the statistical update:
- Worldwide, nearly 57 million people had Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia in 2021, an increase of 45% since 2010 and an increase of 160% in the last 30 years (1990-2021). For comparison, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease has increased 33% in the last decade and 111% in the past 30 years
- The increase in global deaths of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia exceeds even that of cardiovascular disease – dementia deaths have increased by almost 195% since 1990, compared to an increase of 57% of cardiovascular deaths during this same period.
- US health expenses estimated in dementia in the United States has more than doubled, going from $ 38.6 billion in 1996 to $ 79.2 billion in 2016. Dementia was among the 10 main health costs in the United States in 2016.
“The burden of brain disorders is high. Dementia as a cause of death increases more quickly than any other disease, including heart disease, the leading cause of death in the world. Paradoxically, as we will better deal with other conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and cancer accidents, dementia in the cause of death increases, “said Elkind. “Using several of the same tools and information that have helped us successfully tackle cardiovascular risk factors and reduce the load of heart disease in recent decades, we should be able to do the same for brain disorders and promote brain health.”
Elkind said after the continuation of the American Heart Association Life Essential 8 ™ Can be as beneficial for brain health as for heart health. These include 4 health behaviors and 4 health factors identified as key measures to improve and maintain cardiovascular health:
- Health behaviors: eat better
- Health behaviors: be more active
- Health behaviors: Stop tobacco
- Health behaviors: sleep healthy
- Health factors: Manage weight
- Health factors: control cholesterol
- Health factors: Manage blood sugar
- Health factors: Manage blood pressure
“The American Heart Association is committed to advancing the brain sciences thanks to innovative research that will help scientists provide new light on causes and contributors to cognitive and dementia, in particular with regard to heart and vascular health,” said Elkind. “In addition, we can help individuals and communities think about brain health not only in terms of absence of illness, but also more positively. We can examine how we optimize brain function to include positive cognitive traits such as creativity, adaptability, resilience, empathy and others. »»
He said the increase in the cost of brain bad health in lives and dollars makes the association’s continuous commitment to better understand how brain age and how vascular health has an impact on brain health and overall well-being.
“When you ask people what health problems they fear the most with aging, dementia is at the top of the list, even going beyond cancer, heart disease and stroke,” said Elkind. “It is essential that as a company and as an individual, we understand and bring the changes necessary to improve the results for the health of brain diseases and, more importantly, prevent them from starting.”
Learn more about the health of the brain at Heart.org.
Additional resources:
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer and healthier lives. Dedicated to ensure fair health in all communities, the organization has been a health source for over a hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers worldwide, we finance revolutionary research, defend public health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and cerebral vascular accidents. By conducting breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policies and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Heart.org,, Facebook,, X or by calling the 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For media requests: 214-706-1173
Cathy Lewis: cathy.lewis@heart.org
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