Understanding Cognitive Deficits in People with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the main cardiovascular diseases that can cause disability and death across the globe. Although previous research explored the links between CHD and cognitive deficits, only a subset of cognitive abilities was analyzed and a small clinical sample size was used. Thus, the aim of the current study is to assess how CHD can affect the cognitive domains of episodic memory, semantic verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, and numerical ability in a large cohort of participants from the United Kingdom. Results revealed that episodic memory, semantic verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, and numerical ability are negatively affected by CHD. Prevention and intervention should be developed to preserve cognitive abilities in people with CHD, but more studies should explore specific ways of doing so.

Automated summary

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cardiovascular disease that leads to disability and death worldwide. This study aimed to assess the impact of CHD on cognitive domains such as episodic memory, semantic verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, and numerical ability in a large cohort of participants from the UK. The results showed that CHD had a negative effect on these cognitive abilities. Prevention and intervention strategies should be developed, and further research is needed to explore specific methods.