Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center have conducted research into the link between atrial fibrillation, a fairly common heart rhythm disorder, and dementia. The study of more than 37,000 shows that patients with atrial fibrillation were 44% more likely to develop dementia than patients without the disorder.

The large-scale retrospective study is the first to make clear that irregular heart rhythms increase the risk for both vascular and Alzheimer's type dementia. The risk was most increased for people under 70 with irregular heart rhythms.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'Dementia is not a natural part of ageing and there are over 100 different forms, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common.

We have known for some time that irregular heart rhythms increase the risk of stroke. What this large-scale study clearly shows us for the first time is that irregular heart rhythms can increase the risk of both vascular and Alzheimer's type dementia.

Knowing what puts people at risk of the two most commons forms of dementia could help us identify these individuals and investigate whether it is possible to develop targeted interventions that may reduce the risk. Research into dementia is desperately underfunded; but with the right investment it can be defeated.'

Full reference:
"Atrial Fibrillation is Independently Associated with Senile, Vascular, and Alzheimer's Dementia."
Bunch TJ, Weiss JP, Crandall, BG et al.
Presented at the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society, Boston, 15 May 2009.

Source
Alzheimer's Society