Thread by @DrDamluji

Cognitive Function in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease(s): @ACCinTouch and @JACCJournals

By the amazing: @NailaIjaz_MD and @cardskrish

More to come in @JACCJournals: @yasserj94 @MichaelGNanna #Aging @AmerGeriatrics

Here are few highlights: 👇👇

1. 🧑‍🦳👴 The population of older adults with multiple chronic conditions and cognitive dysfunction is growing, and many will seek care in cardiovascular care (inpatient and outpatient).

We need close collaborations betwwen @AmerGeriatrics @ACCinTouch: @DrAROrkaby @minjikwak2

2. 🧠🔍 Literature shows that hypertension, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and diabetes are associated with cognitive impairment/decline and share risk factors with cardiovascular disease.

3. ❓🤔 Simple questions can be asked to assess cognitive decline, such as difficulty retaining new information, repeating questions, forgetting conversations, misplacing objects, and trouble with abstract thinking.

@Yassirj94 summarized all instruments relevant to CV clinician

4. 👥📝 Asking about activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) can help determine functional status and a patient's ability to adhere to treatment plans.

5. 🧪👨‍⚕️ Tools such as the AD8 questionnaire and the Mini-Cog assessment can be used for initial assessment of cognitive dysfunction, and objective testing may be necessary for proper diagnosis.

6. 🩺💊 Cognitive decline is associated with poor outcomes, including frailty development, cardiovascular disease development, rehospitalization, and mortality.

On this in #JACCAdvances

7. 👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️ Involving appropriate specialists and linking patients to resources may improve medical adherence and cardiovascular outcomes.

8. Memory, attention, and executive functioning are all necessary to adhere to medical recommendations and care for oneself.

9. Impairment in one or more of these domains can result in decreased adherence to medications, follow-up with providers, and self-care, which may explain its association with the development and progression of CVD, rehospitalization, and mortality.

10. A gauge of cognitive function and functional status is important to determine whether a patient can independently access care, remember appointments, transport oneself to appointments, and take medications.

Another reason to address polypharmacy: @ParagGoyalMD

Thank you for @ACCinTouch for increasing awareness on issues associated with #aging during cardiovascular illness.

The overarching goal is to improve cardiovascular care for older adults: @AmerGeriatrics