February 2026 Blog – Cardiac Contributions to Brain Health

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Cardiac Contributions to Brain Health: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association 

“Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States and around the world. Emerging evidence shows that the heart and the brain, once considered unrelated organ systems, are interdependent and linked through shared risk factors. More recently, studies designed to unravel the intricate pathogenic mechanisms underpinning this association show that people with various cardiac conditions may have covert brain microstructural changes and cognitive impairment. These findings have given rise to the idea that by addressing cardiovascular health earlier in life, it may be possible to reduce the risk of stroke and deter the onset or progression of cognitive impairment later in life” 

(Credit: PubMedDec 2025) 

The association between Heart Health and Brain Health Simplified: 

  • A healthy heart pumps oxygen rich blood to all your cells including brain cells 
  • Oxygen rich blood helps with ATP production and aerobic metabolism to keep cells healthy 
  • Oxygen boosts neurotransmitters that support neural communication 
  • Sufficient oxygen boosts attention, memory, and mental clarity 

Top of Form 

Bottom of Form 

According to the American Heart Association: 

To prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle focused on their Life’s Essential 8: eat healthy, be physically active, don’t smoke, manage sleep, control weight, and monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Key actions include eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and fish while limiting sugar, sodium, saturated/trans fats, and red meat; getting 150 mins of moderate exercise weekly; quitting tobacco; managing stress; and ensuring 7-9 hours of sleep.  

Key Lifestyle Pillars 

  • Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and fish (especially oily fish twice weekly). Limit red meat, processed meats, sweets, sodium, and sugar-sweetened beverages. 
  • Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate (brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous (jogging) aerobic activity per week, plus strength training. 
  • Tobacco Avoidance: Do not use tobacco products and avoid secondhand smoke. 
  • Healthy Sleep: Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly for most adults. 
  • Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight (BMI under 25) through diet and exercise to prevent obesity, a major risk factor. 
  • Stress Management: Identify and reduce life stressors with professional guidance if needed.  

Health Metrics to Monitor (with your doctor) 

  • Blood Pressure: Keep it below 120/80 mmHg. 
  • Cholesterol: Monitor non-HDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. 
  • Blood Sugar: Keep levels healthy, especially if you have diabetes, through diet, exercise, and potentially medication 

Tips for what to eliminate from your diet: 

  • Processed foods (prepackaged meals, canned food, sauces) – these have a high sodium/salt content and added chemicals 
  • Sodas and canned beverages 
  • Drive-through meals 
  • Meals high in saturated fat 

Tips for adding daily exercise (20-30 min daily) to boost oxygenation of the brain 

  • Walk your dog 
  • Get the mail 
  • Dance in your kitchen or living room 
  • Take a bike ride 
  • Swim 
  • Lift some weights 
  • Go to the gym 
  • Download an exercise APP and follow along 
  • Do some Yoga 

Recent Posts