Studies conducted with the help of the latest and most advanced technology have always unfolded astonishing facts. Especially for medical domain studies, MRI is one of the best alternatives to look deeper into the human body system.
The latest study revealed that even a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle might remain associated with a larger brain. The team of researchers conducted their study on approximately 35000 people, only to unleash that the relationship between a larger brain and a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle is pretty undeniable.
Cardiac Health & Brain Size
Researchers have always wondered about the connection between cardiac health and brain health. With this extensive study and its data in hand, they are now trying to join the missing links to conclude assertively. The results along with the study are awaiting its presentation at the International Stroke Conference of the American Stroke association which will take place between 8 and 11 Feb.
Julian N. Acosta is an MD with Yale School of Medicine’s Neurology Department. Julian and other co-authors of this study explained that a healthy heart is essential for a good lifestyle. When your heart remains healthy, the probability of sudden cardiac arrests or heart attacks reduces considerably.
Therefore, people enjoy a safer and healthier life with a healthy heart. Similarly, brain health is also critical for happy living. Therefore, heart and brain health always share a close connection.
According to the prestigious American Heart Association, the seven parameters of a healthy heart are as follows.
- People who indulge in regular physical activity remain healthy for a long time
- Following a healthy and balanced diet rich in nutrients and low in fat is always conducive to good heart health
- Weight management is integral to heart health. Obesity can be a reason for degraded cardiac health.
- Abstaining from smoking leads to better cardiac health
- Everyone, beyond a certain age, should check their blood pressure level regularly. Normal blood pressure levels indicate good heart health.
- Checking the cholesterol level regularly ensures a healthy heart.
- Blood sugar checking is also essential to keep your heart away from sudden attacks.
The researchers further hypothesized that people who follow the above-mentioned rules generally harbor a healthy and optimally functioning brain.
The Study
The study included participants with no history of dementia or stroke. The team divided the entire set of data regarding the cardiovascular health of the participants into three broad categories – poor, average, and optimal. They further conducted a brain MRI for all these participants.
The objective was to measure two biomarkers in particular – aggregate white matter lesion volume in the brain and the overall volume of the brain.
After the scan, the team found that the participants belonging to the optimal category had a brain size 2.4% bigger than others.
Additionally, the MRI revealed that the optimal group’s members had 43% less dense white matter lesions. People belonging to the average cardiac health category had 18% fewer white matter lesions.
The Findings
According to the authors of this study, a damaged or injured brain generally has a higher white matter lesion. The diseased blood vessels of the human body help accumulate these lesions in the brain over a person’s lifetime.
Amongst many others, high blood pressure can be one reason for such high accumulation. Therefore, brains with lesser white matter intensity are sure to be in better health.
However, the study does not end there. The researchers are continuing with their endeavors to find more brain health indicators using advanced tensor imaging methods diffused with MRI.
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