The Interesting Connection Between Alzheimers & Heart Disease and How To Prevent Both

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MARWAN SABBAGH, M.D. (PHOENIX, ARIZONA) a board-certified neurologist and geriatric neurologist, is one of the nation’s leading experts in Alzheimer’s and dementia, and has been interviewed by AARP, NPR, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Prevention and other national media.

Dr. Sabbagh is the author of The Alzheimer’s Answer, The Alzheimer’s Prevention Handbook, and coauthor of Fighting for My Life. His current book is titled Strong Heart, Sharp Mind published in 2022.

Dr. Sabbagh is a leading investigator for many prominent national Alzheimer’s treatment trials. Dr. Sabbagh is on the editorial board for Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s and Dementia TRCI.

He is editor in chief of Neurology and Therapy. He has authored and co-authored over four hundred medical and scientific articles on Alzheimer’s research. He has been recognized with numerous awards and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology since 2004.

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Here are the items of discussion on this interview:

Dr. Sabbagh’s Background

Comes from a family of doctors
Went to medical school for neurology
Has devoted 30 years to alzheimers research
He learned about the connection between the brain and the heart

What’s The Progression Of Alzheimers Disease?

There is the obvious circulation that connects the heart and brain
They found that keeping your heart healthy also keeps your brain healthy
Alzheimers start with accumulation of ameloids in the brain.
42 amino acid amyloid starts to accumulate in the brain
Starts to aggregate, then starts to develop overaccumulated tangles of amyloid in the brain
Protein aggregations in the brain start 20 years before dementia
PET scan is most effective, but its quite expensive
Spinal taps can help as well, but these aren’t recommended
In one year there will be a new test that detects levels of beta-amyloid in the blood
Lifestyle and recommendations provided are some of the best ways to prevent alzheimers

Biomarker & Genetic Risk of Alzhiemers Disease

Elevated homocysteine can cause health problems including heart attacks…lower b9 and b12.
This is an easy test, ideal range is under 8.
ApoE genotype: increases genetic risk for heart disease and for alzheimers
ApoE4 is the bad genotype. 20% of the population has at least one copy of ApoE4 (heterozygote), this increases risk of alzheimers by 3-4 times.
2% of the population has both copies of ApoE4 (homozygote). This increases risk by 18X.
60-65% of all Alzheimers patients are ApoE4 carriers

Why It’s Important To Lower Hypertension

60 million people in US have hypertension
Strong overlaps between hypertension and obesity, metabolic syndrome and maybe diet
Very pervasive, can cause cardiomyopathy, or cause a thickening of the heart
Can also damage kidneys and stroke
Hypertension and cholesterol come together to cause plaques

Prevent Alzheimers Lifestyle Factor #1: Physical Exercise

Increases circulation, increases BDNF which can regenerate brain cells – growth synapses and improve trafficking
American heart association recommends 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week and 150 minutes of low intensity
Include more movement in your life

Prevent Alzheimers Lifestyle Factor #2: Mediterranean Diet

For risk reduction, mediterranean diet is best
For symptomatic dementia, keto can be helpful

Prevent Alzheimers Lifestyle Factor #3: Good Sleep

You clear amyloid when you sleep
Good sleep is important for brain health

Prevent Alzheimers Lifestyle Factor #4: Reduce Stress

Experts suggest 75% of diseases may be linked to chronic stress
Stress raises cortisol, which also disrupts sleep

Prevent Alzheimers Lifestyle Factor #5: Cognitive Stimulation

Sudoko, crossword puzzles and other brain stimulating games can be helpful
Experts don’t know the level of intensity that’s best, or the length of time thats best for brain stimulation
If you stop doing these exercises, then you lose the benefits

Prevent Alzheimers Lifestyle Factor #6: Social Connections

Social integration and connections are extremely important
We must address loneliness

What’s The Future Of Alzheimers?

Dr Sabbagh thinks we can convert Alzheimers to a chronic disease instead of a terminal one
Similar to how we did with HIV, multiple sclerosis and others
Blood tests will be used for screening and detection
Prevention research is going to improve even more in the next few years