During February, Americans are urged to pay closer attention to their heart health. Experts say new findings suggest it can keep your brain in better shape.

Researchers in Arizona and elsewhere are searching for ways to prevent heart attacks and strokes, which could slow the onset of dementia.

With American Heart Month under way, the American Heart Association's statistics update says in the past decade, global rates from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia have grown at a faster pace than heart-disease rates.

Columbia University Neurology Professor, and immediate past president of the American Heart Association Mitchell Elkind said it coincides with research that connects heart-disease risk factors and the likelihood of dementia.

"That boundary that we used to draw," said Elkind, "between vascular diseases of the brain, like stroke, and degenerative problems, like Alzheimer's disease, is beginning to fade away."

The report says efforts such as keeping blood pressure low can reduce the risk of dementia later in life. The study also found gender, racial and ethnic disparities that are prevalent among people with poor brains health

Elkind said another real concern is that a lack of access to good health care or avoiding preventive care during to the pandemic only make the situation worse.

"We are seeing an increase in cardiovascular disease and strokes," said Elkind, "and that might lead to an increase down the line in people with not just dementia, but all sorts of long-term, chronic health issues."

Researchers at the University of Arizona are working on a promising treatment to reduce the risk of dementia in patients who have had a stroke.

Kristian Doyle, associate professor of immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, said they are investigating a drug that helps the brain safely store cholesterol after a stroke without provoking an inflammatory response.

But he was quick to add that prevention is still the best cure.

"What's good for vascular health is good for both organs," said Doyle. "That's the main point to get across, really, is how healthy your blood vessels are. And unhealthy vessels are the cause of strokes and heart attacks. And stroke is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's."

Doyle said up to one-third of the people who have a stroke will develop dementia in the months afterward, adding that strokes affect more than 15 million people in the world every year.

After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


get more stories like this via email

New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.