Checking pulses may be a quick and easy way to identify the risk of dementia, Scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have found. Their study published in the medical journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia, analysed data on 2,147 people aged 60 and over who were tracked for up to 12 years.
They found that participants with a resting heart rate of 80 beats per minute or more were 55 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those with a heart rate of 60 to 69. They were also more likely to see a quicker decline in memory and cognitive skills. Researchers say imbalanced nerve activity or stiffened arteries may explain the link between heart rate and dementia. Lead researcher Dr. Yume Imahori recommended regular exercise and more physical activity to lower the risk of dementia
