Increasingly, researchers are finding a correlation between that what is good for the heart, is also good for the brain. Good blood flow to the grey matter is essential for the function and wellness of brain cells. With each heartbeat, about 25% of the blood is delivered to the brain, bringing the necessary carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, hormones, and amino acids to provide your brain with the energy needed to remember information and to think clearly.
In recent years, there has been mounting evidence of the strong association between dementia and cardiovascular disease, particularly in terms of the heart condition’s tendency to starve the brain of blood. The brain is sensitive to changes in oxygen supply. Since the primary function of the heart is to pump blood to the brain and throughout the circulatory system, those with heart health issues are generally at a higher risk for dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s. Vascular damage due to buildup in the arteries can slow blood flow to the brain and over time, damage brain cells. Researchers have long suspected a cause-and-effect relationship with the heart and the risk factor of cardiovascular disease in the onset of Alzheimer’s.
High blood pressure is one of the leading factors of heart disease and can wreak havoc by thickening your heart muscle. The good news is a recent study by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommends keeping your blood pressure low and controlling hypertension to prevent dementia. The bad news, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association in 2017 redefined high blood pressure as 130/80, which was previously 140/90. According to statistics, approximately 46% of the adult population in the U.S. now qualify as having high blood pressure—that’s about 103 million Americans!
Evidence is growing that controlling your blood pressure may not only reduce your risk of heart disease but stave off dementia. A study in Neurology found that seniors with high blood pressure were more likely to have lesions on their brain caused by low blood supply. And researchers found in these patients that they had more twisted strands of protein (referred to as tangles), which are a common symptom of Alzheimer’s. Studies are finding preliminary results that aggressively reducing high blood pressure can decrease the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, which is often a precursor to dementia. This research also suggests that not only is treating high blood pressure safe in Alzheimer’s patients, but also may even increase blood supply to the brain.
While age, genetics, and other risk factors play significant roles in the chances of developing Alzheimer’s, there are ways to minimize the risk. Heart disease comes in many forms, and sometimes the risk factors are out of one’s control. However, healthy living tips such as these can help get the heart in shape and lower your blood pressure:
With these healthy lifestyle suggestions and a greater understanding of the strong link between dementia and cardiovascular disease, you can begin to work toward improved heart health in an effort to slow this progressive disorder. Such information can also be applied to those who have started to show the signs of Alzheimer’s—a balanced diet, exercise, and other heart-healthy exercises may help slow and even help to reverse cognitive decline.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.