Optimal Cardiovascular Health May Offset Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in People with Type 2 Diabetes

Strategic Insights -

Researchers found that maintaining optimal cardiovascular health, as measured by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 metrics, may decrease the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia for adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study, which was presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025, examined the combined impact of cardiovascular health and genetic risk on the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and dementia in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The results showed that participants with moderate or high cardiovascular health had a 15% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and a 15% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low cardiovascular health.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers examined the combined impact of cardiovascular health and genetic risk on the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and dementia in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
  • Participants with moderate or high cardiovascular health had a 15% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and a 15% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low cardiovascular health.
  • Among participants with a high genetic risk score, those with moderate or high cardiovascular health had a 27% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and a 23% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low cardiovascular health.
  • Better cardiovascular health scores were also positively and significantly associated with brain volume, indicating that people with higher Life's Essential 8 scores were more likely to have maintained brain volume.
  • The study found that maintaining optimal cardiovascular health can protect brain health even for people with Type 2 diabetes who carry the highest genetic risk for dementia.
  • The findings support the message that living healthy is not just about living long, but also about maintaining cognitive function and capacity for longer independence and better quality of life.
  • The study's lead author, Yilin Yoshida, emphasized that maintaining optimal cardiovascular health can protect brain health, even for people with a high genetic risk for dementia.

Statistics:

  • 840 participants developed mild cognitive impairment over 13 years.
  • 1,013 participants developed dementia over 13 years.
  • Participants with moderate or high cardiovascular health had a 15% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and a 15% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low cardiovascular health.
  • Among participants with a high genetic risk score, those with moderate or high cardiovascular health had a 27% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and a 23% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with low cardiovascular health.
  • Better cardiovascular health scores were associated with a 27% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and a 23% lower risk of developing dementia.

Sources:

  • American Heart Association (2025). Optimal cardiovascular health may offset risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in people with Type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from
  • UK Biobank. (n.d.). Retrieved from
  • National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). All of Us Research Hub. Retrieved from