The thinking and memory clues tied to higher stroke risk in your 60s

When your memory starts worrying you, your first thought probably isn’t stroke.

You may wonder about Alzheimer’s. Or you may tell yourself you’re getting older and just need to pay closer attention.

But thinking and memory issues can also point to something else: the health of the blood vessels that supply your brain.

A Swedish study found that adults in their sixties who performed poorly on certain cognitive tests faced substantially higher stroke risk in the years ahead.

That gives us another reason to stop brushing off concerns about mental sharpness — and to bring them into conversations about heart and vascular health.

Quick Answer: Can cognitive tests reveal higher stroke risk?

Among adults ages 60 to 69, those with the lowest scores on tests of overall thinking ability, memory and processing speed had a 66% to 86% higher risk of future stroke than those with the highest scores. These findings suggest cognitive testing could help identify people who need closer attention to stroke prevention.

What the study found

In the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers at Lund University followed 4,912 adults aged 60 and older.

None had a previous stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or dementia when they entered the study.

Participants completed cognitive tests, and researchers used Swedish health records to identify subsequent strokes. Over an average of 12.3 years, 572 participants experienced a stroke.

Among participants aged 60 to 69, those scoring in the lowest third, compared with the highest third, had:

• 86% higher stroke risk for overall thinking ability, a combined measure of cognitive performance.
• 68% higher risk for episodic memory, which helps you remember events and experiences.
• 66% higher risk for perceptual speed, or how quickly you process simple visual information.

Across the full study population, the lowest processing-speed scores were associated with a 40% higher stroke risk, even after accounting for other factors.

These figures describe relative increases in risk. An 86% higher risk does not mean someone has an 86% chance of having a stroke.

The same pattern across the three cognitive measures did not hold among adults 70 and older after adjusting for other health and lifestyle factors. That makes the finding particularly relevant to people in their sixties.

Why thinking problems could come before a stroke

We often hear that a stroke can damage memory and thinking. This research raises the possibility that cognitive difficulties can also appear before a recognized stroke.

One possible explanation is brain injury that has already occurred without obvious symptoms.

“So-called ‘silent’ brain injuries can affect both cognitive functioning and the future risk of stroke,” explained lead researcher Dr. Alice Askemyr.

In other words, poorer thinking performance and a later stroke may share an underlying problem.

The study found an association; it did not establish that lower cognitive performance causes stroke or prove what was happening inside participants’ brains. But it points toward a potentially useful opportunity to recognize risk earlier.

It also reinforces something we’ve covered before: protecting your heart and your brain go hand in hand.

What to do when your thinking feels different

The useful takeaway is to make changes in thinking part of your next health conversation.

Bring examples rather than just saying, “My memory is bad.” Are you repeatedly forgetting recent conversations? Having more trouble handling familiar tasks? Write down what happens, when it began and whether it is getting worse. A family member may notice changes you haven’t recognized.

Ask what else could explain it. Medication side effects, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems and depression can affect memory. An evaluation can help identify treatable contributors rather than leaving you guessing about the cause.

Connect that conversation to your vascular risks. Ask whether your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar are adequately controlled. Review any known heart rhythm problem, including atrial fibrillation, which can increase stroke risk.

Turn prevention into something you can track. If you have hypertension, ask about home blood-pressure monitoring and bring your readings to appointments. For movement, work toward 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, such as brisk walking, as your abilities allow. Give those walks a regular place on your calendar.

For meals, this guide to a Mediterranean eating pattern and brain health offers a practical starting point.

Know when a change is an emergency

Gradual concerns deserve an appointment. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking can be a stroke emergency.

Call 911 for sudden facial drooping, one-sided weakness, trouble seeing, loss of balance or a severe unexplained headache — even if symptoms disappear.

Your thinking and memory deserve attention for their own sake. This research adds another reason: They may offer clues about stroke risk while there is still time to address the factors you can change.

Sources:

Lower Cognitive Function in People Aged 60 to 69 Years Is Associated With Future Stroke — Journal of the American Heart Association

Lower cognitive test scores among adults in their 60s may signal higher future stroke risk — American Heart Association

Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help — National Institute on Aging

Preventing Stroke — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

FAQ: Cognitive changes that may indicate stroke risk