Q&A: What your heart, and ‘heartset’ may have to do with your brain health

As heart health continues to decline across much of the population, researchers are increasingly finding stronger links between heart health and brain health. A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, found that reduced heart function may be linked to faster brain loss in people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease, reinforcing the idea that cognitive decline is not solely a neurological issue but a systemic one tied to overall vascular health.

Digital Journal sat down with Peter Wainberg, weight loss and heart health coach and author of the upcoming book Heartbeat: Pave Your Path to Metabolic Wellness and Happiness, to discuss the implications of these findings, the growing intersection between cardiovascular and cognitive health, and how lifestyle interventions may play a critical role in prevention.

Digital Journal: How significant are these findings for our understanding of Alzheimer’s risk?

Peter Wainberg: These findings show that Alzheimer’s risk may involve more than just the brain. The study followed 756 older adults for more than a decade and found that people with the APOE4 gene variant who had lower cardiac function also showed faster brain loss. The study does not prove that poor heart function causes brain loss, but it does show a possible connection between heart health and Alzheimer’s risk. Since many adults have at least one risk factor for heart disease, taking care of your heart may also be an important part of protecting brain health as we age.

DJ: How does this study reinforce the idea that heart health and brain health are closely related?

Wainberg: Since the brain relies on a constant, well-regulated supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered through the bloodstream, any reduction in blood flow can have an impact. When cardiac output declines over time, even modestly, it may compromise the brain’s ability to maintain optimal function, especially in individuals with genetic vulnerabilities like APOE4. While no direct cause is established, the results suggest that vascular health plays a significant role in brain resilience.

DJ: What practical steps can individuals take today to support both heart and brain health?

Wainberg: The good news is that many of these risk factors can be changed. Regular exercise, healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and good cholesterol levels can all help. Getting enough quality sleep and eating healthy, less-processed foods are also important. Managing stress and avoiding smoking can help too. While these steps cannot guarantee that someone will avoid Alzheimer’s, they can improve heart and blood vessel health, which, according to this research, can help protect the brain over time.

DJ: How can the average person stay on top of these issues?

Wainberg: One of the biggest gaps in health today is not just treatment, but awareness. Many people are unfamiliar with key indicators like blood glucose, cholesterol levels, or waist circumference until they face a serious diagnosis. By that point, underlying issues may have been developing for years. Education empowers individuals to recognize risk factors earlier and take proactive steps. Even basic understanding can lead to meaningful behaviour change. That is why I developed the Heartbeat Health Framework.

DJ: What is the Heartbeat Health Framework?

Wainberg: The Heartbeat Health Framework is a system I designed to simplify complex health concepts into practical, sustainable actions. It helps people integrate their mindset with what I call “Heartset,” and aligns lifestyle and physical health. Rather than focusing on short-term fixes, the framework emphasizes consistency and self-awareness. It encourages individuals to understand their own metrics—such as blood pressure, fitness, and metabolic markers—while building routines that support long-term change. The goal is not perfection, but steady improvement across multiple areas that together influence both cardiovascular and cognitive health.

DJ: What is the broader message you hope readers take from this research?

Wainberg: The broader message is that health is interconnected, and prevention requires a whole-body perspective. Alzheimer’s disease is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, age and lifestyle. While we cannot control our genes, we can influence many of the conditions that affect how those genes are expressed. Supporting cardiovascular and metabolic health is one of the most practical ways to promote brain resilience. This is ultimately about preserving independence, cognitive function, and quality of life over time by making consistent, informed choices every day.