Heart Disease - Can it affect your memory?

Does anyone know if heart disease can actually affect your memory - more specifically your ability to use your brain?

There are many different types of heart disease, and they can effect the brain and brain function in different ways. If the heart muscle is weak, there could be decreased blood flow to the brain. If the problem is blocked or narrowed arteries, the same condition may exist in the brain and/or the vessels leading to the brain as well. If the heart is an an abnormal rhythm called atrial fibrillation, it can throw blood clots to the brain causing damage. Often this results in a TIA (mini-stroke) or in a full-blown stroke. Other times, the damage can be more subtle but the cumulative damage can have quite a major impact on mental functions.

One respondent made reference to the possibility of cholesterol-lowering drugs in the "statin" class causing memory and cognitive problems. This does most certainly occur, but it is quite unusual. Other medications used to treat heart problems, such as beta blockers, can have significant effects on thought processes.

I don't know the age of the person (you?) having this problem, but an older person could also be developing Minimal Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or early Alzheimer's Disease. The person in question should most certainly raise this issue with his/her doctor.

Good luck

No but the drugs they prescribe for cholesterol definitely can cause poor memory and even TGA (total global amnesia).
If you are on a statin, and I bet you are, please spend an hour on this website. www.spacedoc.net It is run by an MD/astronaut who contracted TGA, twice from Lipitor.
Pharmacist who's life was almost ruined by Lipitor. If I did not know the true side effects, how could you?

The blockages in the heart, the cholesterol, clog up in the brain too. Thats where strokes come from.

A healthy heart diet, is good for everything.

yes, because less 'clean' blood to brain