Memory lapses and slower thinking can occur for many reasons, including poor sleep, medication effects, and underlying health conditions.

However, differences in cognitive performance during the early 60s may also offer clues about long-term cardiovascular and brain health.

A recent Swedish study found that people aged 60 to 69 who scored lower on tests measuring overall thinking ability, memory, and processing speed were more likely to experience a future cerebrovascular event. The findings suggest that cognitive assessments may eventually help identify people who could benefit from closer medical evaluation.

However, a low score does not establish a diagnosis or guarantee that a serious event will occur. The relationship requires further investigation before cognitive tests can be recommended as a standard part of cardiovascular risk screening.

What the Research Found

Researchers analyzed health records and cognitive assessments from 4,912 participants aged 60 and older who had no history of dementia, previous cerebrovascular events, or transient ischemic attacks when the study began. Participants completed tests covering several mental abilities, including memory, verbal fluency, executive function, and perceptual speed.

During an average follow-up period of approximately 12 years, 572 participants experienced a first cerebrovascular event. Among participants aged 60 to 69, those with lower scores faced a higher relative risk than people with the strongest results in the same testing categories. Lower overall cognitive performance was associated with an 86% higher risk, while lower episodic memory and perceptual speed scores were associated with increases of 68% and 66%, respectively.

Why Memory and Processing Speed Matter

Cognitive function depends on communication between different brain regions, supported by a network of blood vessels that supplies oxygen and nutrients. Conditions that damage these vessels can interfere with the brain's ability to process information efficiently.

Memory tests measure the ability to learn, retain, and retrieve information. Processing-speed assessments examine how quickly a person can recognize information and respond to it. Lower performance in these areas may sometimes reflect underlying changes in brain health.

One possible explanation involves small areas of vascular damage that develop without noticeable symptoms. Such changes may affect memory or mental speed while also indicating an increased likelihood of future vascular problems.

Expert Insight

Neurologist Dr. Elisabeth Breese Marsh, a professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of protecting brain health before later life. Commenting on related research through the American Heart Association, she stated: “My advice would be that even people in their 40s and 50s need to be focusing on risk factor modification and habits for good overall brain health.”

Could Cognitive Tests Become a Screening Tool?

The findings raise the possibility that cognitive assessments could eventually complement existing cardiovascular evaluations. Standard risk assessments already consider factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, physical activity, and conditions affecting heart rhythm.

A cognitive test might provide additional information when a person's results are unexpectedly low or decline over time. However, researchers must first establish whether such testing improves predictions beyond established medical assessments and whether acting on the results leads to better outcomes.

Because the study was observational, it cannot establish that reduced cognitive performance directly causes future vascular events. It also remains uncertain whether the results apply equally to populations with different healthcare systems, lifestyles, and demographic characteristics.

Practical Steps to Protect Brain Health

Several established health habits support cardiovascular function and may also benefit the brain. Regular physical activity, a balanced eating pattern, and adequate sleep. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose should be monitored as recommended by a healthcare professional. Conditions such as diabetes and heart rhythm disorders also require appropriate management.

Anyone experiencing persistent or worsening memory difficulties should discuss the symptoms with a qualified healthcare professional. An evaluation can help identify potentially treatable causes and determine whether additional testing is appropriate. Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking, or weakness on one side of the body requires emergency medical attention.

The findings reinforce the close relationship between brain function and cardiovascular health. Cognitive assessments may eventually contribute to risk evaluation, but they are not yet a substitute for established medical screening. Maintaining healthy habits, managing existing conditions, and seeking professional advice about persistent cognitive changes remain important steps toward supporting long-term brain health.