Older women may be at an increased risk of developing dementia if they have heart disease, the results of a new study indicate.

German scientists studied 6,500 women who were aged between 65 and 79. All had healthy brain function at the start of the study.

The scientists found that postmenopausal women with heart disease were 29% more likely to experience cognitive decline over time compared to those without heart disease.

Furthermore, the risk of cognitive decline was doubled if the women had suffered a heart attack.

Women who had undergone heart bypass surgery, had high blood pressure or diabetes, also had an increased risk of experiencing cognitive decline.

The scientists from the University of Würzburg said that women with heart disease ‘should be monitored for potential cognitive decline', especially if they have suffered a heart attack, heart failure or required heart bypass surgery.

They also highlighted the importance of managing heart disease risk factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

"Our study provides further new evidence that this relationship between heart disease and dementia does exist, especially among postmenopausal women. And many different types of heart disease are associated with declining brain function," the scientists said.

They called for more research into how the prevention of heart disease may help to preserve cognitive health.

Details of these findings are published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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