Pinagpala Publishing Services - CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND BRAIN FUNCTION: A REVIEW OF THE INTERCONNECTION B

World Education Connect Multidisciplinary e-Publication, Vol. VI, Issue II (February 2026), pp.57-74

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND BRAIN FUNCTION: A REVIEW OF THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN HEART HEALTH AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Prof. Dr. Henry Oh, PhD, RRT-NPS, MLS, CBiol, CSci, FAARC, FRSB

Chief Academic Officer/Vice President, Northeastern College, Colorado, USA

Orcid: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9103-868X

Prof. Dr. Osman H. Nyakuleha Sr, PhD

President & Chancellor and Professor of Education

Central Christian University, Malawi

ABSTRACT

Research has increasingly demonstrated the connection between cardiovascular and brain health; therefore, maintaining cardiovascular health is vital for optimal brain function. The numerous studies showing that cardiovascular health affects cognitive function are summarized in this article by describing the physiological mechanisms through which cardiovascular health impacts brain function, e.g. blood flow, oxygen delivery to the tissues, and the integrity of the vasculature, all of which contribute to cognitive processes. While there continues to be additional literature documenting that individuals with poor cardiovascular health (hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart disease, etc.) are at a greater risk of decreasing cognitive ability and/or developing dementia and/or developing neurodegenerative conditions (including Alzheimer's disease), there is also increasing evidence that specified exercise coupled with improved levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and various lifestyle changes can assist to retain individual cognitive function, propagate and maintain neuroplasticity, and help prevent cognitive decline associated with aging. Furthermore, this review integrates both the outcomes of clinical studies and neurobiological studies related to both cardiovascular health and cognitive function to illustrate the necessity of a unified approach related to cardiovascular care in order to maintain the health of the brain and avoid the emergence of cognitive deficits. Finally, the authors recommend that future research evaluate the reciprocal nature of the relationship between cardiovascular and brain health and facilitate population-level approaches to enhance cognitive function.

Keywords: Cardiovascular health; cognitive function; brain health; neuroplasticity; cardiorespiratory fitness; cognitive decline; aging.

https://doi.org/10.65494/pinagpalapublishing.138

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