The American Heart Association is creating the American Heart Association Center for the Brain™, a new national initiative aimed at advancing science and deepening understanding of the connection between heart and brain health. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, comes as growing scientific evidence underscores how closely the two systems are linked.
Brain health shapes how people think, move and function throughout their lives, and many of the factors that affect the heart also affect the brain, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking. Managing these risk factors and following healthy lifestyle behaviors, including those outlined in Life’s Essential 8™, can support brain health and healthier aging.
“Heart health and brain health cannot be viewed in isolation. They are deeply connected throughout our lives,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Building on the extraordinary body of knowledge and innovative science generated through the American Stroke Association since 1998, the Center for the Brain will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, advocates and communities to deepen our understanding of the heart-brain connection and turn that knowledge into action, helping people maximize their brain health throughout their lives.”
The initiative builds on a substantial research investment: to date, the Heart Association has awarded nearly $800 million to support scientific research related to the brain and stroke. “We are at an inflection point in brain science,” said Mitch Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA, chief science officer for brain health and stroke of the American Heart Association. “Advances in research are creating new opportunities to protect brain health and prevent disease earlier. Through the Center, we can harness the American Heart Association’s experience in science, guidelines and systems of care to create a more integrated approach to all aspects of brain health across the lifespan.”
The announcement also highlights the organization’s long-term impact: since its founding in 1924, death rates from cardiovascular disease have been reduced by half and deaths from stroke decreased by one-third. “This progress shows what’s possible, and we’re excited about what comes next,” Brown said. “We are committed to creating a future where more people can enjoy healthier hearts and healthier brains as we continue to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.” Resources to help protect brain health throughout life are available at Heart.org.
For readers, the initiative signals a shift toward treating brain health as an integral part of overall wellness, with practical implications for prevention at every age. For the healthcare industry, it promises a more integrated approach to research, guidelines and systems of care, potentially accelerating early interventions. Globally, the focus on shared risk factors could inform public health strategies to reduce the burden of cognitive decline and stroke. More information is available at heart.org and stroke.org.
