A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that poor heart health in midlife may significantly increase the risk of dementia for Black Americans. Researchers found that individuals diagnosed with both diabetes and hypertension had elevated levels of a dementia-related biomarker more than a decade later.
“This matters,” said Rachael Weaver, the study’s lead author. “Chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, especially when combined together, might start damaging the brain earlier than we thought, especially for this group.”
The study followed over 250 participants and found that having both conditions—not just one—led to a greater increase in the biomarker over an 11-year period. Black Americans already experience cognitive decline at higher rates and younger ages than White individuals, making these findings especially urgent.
Karlo Lei, a co-author, emphasized that “taking steps early to control high blood pressure and diabetes may help protect African Americans from brain degeneration.” The researchers suggest that cardiovascular health should be prioritized as a key indicator of dementia risk.
Socioeconomic factors also played a role. Nearly 20% of participants had less than a 12th-grade education, and many reported low incomes. Weaver noted, “Health inequities like the ones that we’re exploring are not inevitable. They are very systemic, and they’re potentially preventable.”
The study calls for early intervention and public health education in at-risk communities to reduce the burden of neurodegenerative diseases.
See: “Poor heart health increases risk of dementia for Black Americans” (July 4, 2025)
