1. Introduction
When you think about caring for someone with dementia, your mind probably goes straight to memory, behavior, and daily routines. Heart health might not be at the top of your list.
But research consistently shows that the heart and brain depend on each other more than most people realize. The brain uses roughly 20 percent of the body’s blood supply. When the heart struggles to pump blood efficiently, the brain feels it, sometimes in ways that look a lot like worsening dementia symptoms.
This doesn’t mean you need to become a cardiac specialist on top of everything else you’re managing. It does mean that paying attention to a few heart-healthy basics may help support your loved one’s cognitive function and overall quality of life. And many of these steps are simpler than you might expect.
2. The Heart-Brain Connection: What Caregivers Should Know
Your loved one’s brain needs a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood to function. The heart is responsible for delivering that blood. When cardiovascular health declines, blood flow to the brain can decrease, and that reduced flow can affect thinking, memory, and behavior.
Here’s what that can look like in practice:
- Unmanaged high blood pressure can, over time, cause damage to the brain’s small blood vessels. This damage may contribute to a type of dementia called vascular dementia, or it can worsen symptoms in someone already living with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Heart conditions like atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), heart failure, or coronary artery disease can all reduce the amount of blood reaching the brain.
- Circulation problems may cause symptoms that overlap with dementia, such as increased confusion, difficulty finding words, or sudden changes in mood or alertness.
The important thing to understand is this: heart health and brain health aren’t separate concerns. They work together. Supporting one can help protect the other.
3. Warning Signs to Watch For
As a caregiver, you’re already tuned in to changes in your loved one’s behavior and abilities. Some shifts that seem like “just the dementia progressing” could actually be related to cardiovascular changes. Knowing what to watch for can help you have more productive conversations with the healthcare team.
Talk with the doctor if you notice:
- A sudden increase in confusion or disorientation that doesn’t match the usual pattern
- New or worsening dizziness, especially when standing up
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs
- Shortness of breath during activities that used to be manageable
- Complaints of chest discomfort, pressure, or pain (note that some people with dementia may not be able to describe pain clearly, so watch for facial expressions, guarding, or restlessness)
- Unusual fatigue or sleeping much more than normal
These don’t necessarily mean something is wrong with the heart. But they’re worth mentioning at the next appointment. You know your loved one’s baseline better than anyone, and that knowledge is valuable to the care team.
4. Simple Ways to Support Heart and Brain Health Together
You don’t need to overhaul your loved one’s entire routine. Small, consistent steps can make a real difference. Here are a few practical starting points:
Keep up with medications. If your loved one takes blood pressure medication, cholesterol medication, or blood thinners, staying consistent with those prescriptions matters. If managing multiple medications feels overwhelming, ask the pharmacist about blister packs, pill organizers, or medication synchronization programs that can simplify refills.
Encourage gentle movement. Physical activity helps the heart pump blood more efficiently and may support brain health, too. This doesn’t have to mean formal exercise. A short walk around the house, gentle seated stretches, or even standing up and swaying to music all count. Match the activity to what your loved one can safely do today, not what they used to do.
Offer heart-friendly foods when you can. You don’t need a perfect diet. But when you have the chance, lean toward fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Reducing sodium can help with blood pressure. If your loved one has strong food preferences or struggles with eating, do what you can without adding stress. Any small shift toward healthier options helps.
Stay on top of regular checkups. Routine visits give the healthcare provider a chance to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart function. If getting to appointments is difficult, ask about telehealth options or whether a visiting nurse can help with basic monitoring at home.
Watch for dehydration. Older adults, especially those with dementia, may not feel thirsty or may forget to drink fluids. Dehydration can affect blood pressure and circulation, which in turn affects the brain. Offer water, juice, or broth throughout the day. Small, frequent sips often work better than a full glass.
5. Taking Care of Your Own Heart, Too
Here’s something caregivers don’t hear often enough: your heart health matters in this equation, too.
Caregiving is physically and emotionally demanding. Chronic stress, disrupted sleep, skipped meals, and little time for exercise all take a toll on your cardiovascular health. Research has shown that family caregivers have a higher risk of developing heart problems than non-caregivers.
This isn’t said to worry you. It’s said because you deserve the same attention you give your loved one. A few small things that can help:
- Try to get your own blood pressure checked regularly, even at a pharmacy kiosk.
- When your loved one eats a heart-healthy meal, eat one too.
- Find five or ten minutes for movement, even a short walk around the block or some stretches while waiting for coffee.
- If you’re feeling chest tightness, unusual fatigue, or shortness of breath, please don’t push through it. Talk to your own doctor.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you definitely can’t pour from a struggling heart. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s part of the caregiving plan.
Key Takeaways
- The heart and brain are deeply connected. When cardiovascular health declines, brain function can be affected too, sometimes in ways that look like worsening dementia.
- Sudden changes in confusion, dizziness, swelling, or fatigue may be related to heart health and are worth mentioning to the healthcare provider.
- Simple steps like staying consistent with medications, encouraging gentle movement, and offering heart-friendly foods can support both heart and brain health.
- Caregiver heart health matters too. Chronic stress and self-neglect put you at higher risk for cardiovascular problems, so check in with your own body.
- You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Small, steady efforts make a difference.
You’re not alone in this. And it’s okay to start small.
