Cognitive impairment in patients after myocardial infarction

Both cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD), including myocardial infarction (MI), are a significant burden on the health and social care systems. Currently, 50 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, while CVDs are still the leading cause of death. Unfortunately, assessment of cognitive function is not part of routine clinical practice, especially in cardiac patients. Nevertheless, a growing body of evidence points to an association between CVD, including ischemic heart disease, and the occurrence of CI. The mechanisms responsible for this remain largely unknown. The problem of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in cardiac patients is also highlighted by the latest guidelines on cardiovascular prevention. They indicate that all mental disorders are associated with the development of CVD, while the onset of CVD is associated with a 2-3 times higher risk of mental disorders. It is estimated that the annual prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with CVD is around 40%, leading to a significantly worse prognosis. Given these clinical implications, we have undertaken an assessment of cognitive functioning in people after MI and 6 months later, and attempted to identify factors that may influence it.