Common cholesterol medications do not alter long-term dementia risk
Taking common cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins does not appear to affect an older adult’s long-term risk of developing dementia. While these drugs reliably protect the heart, they do not seem to offer secondary protection against cognitive decline. The findings from a massive observational study were recently published in the journal Neurology. Statins are widespread prescription medications designed to lower low-density lipoprotein. Medical professionals frequently refer to this specific lipid as the “bad” cholesterol. It is a waxy substance that circulates in the bloodstream and can accumulate inside arterial walls. When this buildup occurs, the arteries become unnaturally narrow and stiff. That narrowing process creates a heavy strain on the cardiovascular system. Restricted blood flow deprives tissues of oxygen and drastically increases the chances of experiencing a heart attack or a stroke. Statin medications step in to disrupt this dangerous buildup by strictly limiting the liver’s ability to produce the waxy compound. Lowering the amount of circulating lipids helps keep blood vessels open and healthy over the long term. Researchers have suspected that vascular health …
