Statement Highlights:
Embargoed until 4:00 a.m. CT / 5:00 a.m. ET Tuesday, April 28, 2026
DALLAS, April 28, 2026 — Brain health isn’t determined only by genetics or what happens later in life. A growing body of research shows that a range of factors—from mental health and sleep to environment, lifestyle and social conditions—play a powerful role in shaping how the brain functions and ages. A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights how experiences starting early in life and continuing through life may influence brain health and affect the risk of stroke , cognitive decline or dementia in later years, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement, published today in the Association’s peer-reviewed scientific journal Stroke .
The new scientific statement, “Brain Health Across the Life Span: A Framework for Future Studies,” highlights opportunities for early detection, prevention and intervention to protect brain health and support healthy aging.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of U.S. adults ages 65 and older is projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, a 42% increase, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population is projected to rise from 17% to 23%. The aging of the U.S. population is expected to increase the prevalence of brain conditions that affect memory, thinking, communication skills and mental health.
“As medical and scientific advancements have extended life expectancies, brain health has become increasingly important,” said the Chair of the scientific statement’s writing group Elisabeth Marsh, M.D., FAHA, a professor of neurology and associate director of the neurology residency program at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Stroke Center at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. “The number of people with age-related cognitive impairment is rising rapidly, creating significant personal, emotional, and health care system burdens.”
According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics , stroke is now the #4 leading cause of death in the U.S. A 2023 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific statement on cognitive impairment after stroke highlighted that more than half of people who survive a stroke develop cognitive impairment within the first year after their stroke, and as many as 1 in 3 may develop dementia within 5 years.
Previous research about brain health has considered factors that damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the brain, which can increase the risk of developing stroke, cognitive decline and/or dementia. Recent research has also focused on the role of psychological, environmental, lifestyle and social factors, that affect brain health over a lifetime.
“We’ve long focused on managing risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol, which remain critical for heart and brain health, however, this statement spotlights research on external factors like sleep quality, the gut microbiome and social conditions that are also linked to brain health,” said Marsh.
“One of the most important messages in this scientific statement is that brain health is shaped across the entire life span. What happens early in life can matter decades later, which also means there are opportunities at every life stage to support healthier brain aging,” she added.
What factors affect brain health?
Recent research shows that numerous mental, physical, environmental and social factors influence brain health across the life span.
What are ways to improve brain health?
“Together, the evidence underscores that brain health is shaped throughout a person’s lifetime and that healthy lifestyle behaviors can make a difference. Addressing modifiable factors such as mental health, environmental exposures, sleep and social conditions may support brain development and healthy aging,“ Marsh said.
Research suggests that healthy lifestyle habits such as those outlined in the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 may support brain health. Getting regular physical activity, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, practicing healthy sleep habits, avoiding smoking and managing stress have shown consistent benefits. Healthy eating patterns such as those detailed in the Association’s 2026 Dietary Guidance are also a key factor in shaping gut and brain health. Following a Mediterranean-style diet and eating fiber-rich, plant-based foods and fermented foods, like yogurt and kefir, support beneficial gut bacteria, while diets high in processed foods and added sugars can disrupt the gut microbiome. Avoiding heavy alcohol or substance use, increasing social support , and reducing financial stress may also improve mental health.
What should health care professionals and other leaders do to support brain health?
The statement urges health care professionals and policymakers to protect and promote optimal brain health from before birth through adulthood across all communities. Prioritizing mental health screening and support and expanding access to timely, effective health care that supports Life’s Essential 8 can help to improve brain health across the life span. More research is needed to understand the approaches that may work best in different communities.
To address the growing burden of age-related cognitive impairment, the American Heart Association and the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group have created the AHA-Allen Initiative in Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment . The two organizations, along with additional contributors, have committed more than $43 million toward research to advance the understanding of brain health and improve lives. More information about the awards given to fund brain health research is available here . In addition, the Association’s Strategically Focused Research Network on Inflammation in Cardiac and Neurovascular Disease awarded $15 million to researchers to study inflammation’s impact on heart and brain health.
“Brain health is a lifelong journey, influenced by our mental well-being, environment and lifestyle choices from childhood through late adulthood,” according to Mitchell Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA, the American Heart Association’s Chief Science Officer for Brain Health and Stroke and a past volunteer president of the Association (2020-2021). “This scientific statement comes at a timely moment, just as the American Heart Association is increasing its focus, research and programming in brain health. The exciting science in this area reminds us that every stage of life offers a new opportunity to nurture our brains and minds, supporting healthier aging and reducing the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, stroke, depression and other brain disorders.”
This scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Association’s Stroke Council; the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; and the Council on Clinical Cardiology. American Heart Association scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions. Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association’s official clinical practice recommendations.
Co-authors are Vice Chair Helen Lavretsky, M.D., M.S.; Nadine Kasparian, Ph.D.; Nancy Pike, Ph.D., R.N., FAHA; Kristian Doyle, Ph.D.; Neelum Aggarwal, M.D.; Heather Fullerton, M.D., M.A.S.; Autumn Ivy, M.D., Ph.D.; and Nomazulu Dlamini, M.B.B.S, M.Sc., Ph.D, FAHA. Authors’ disclosures are listed in the manuscript.
The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here .
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Brain Health Across the Life Span: A Framework for Future Studies: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association