There is new research that suggests if you have a heart condition, you have significant increased risk of dementia.

New research by Heart and Stroke has mapped the connections between heart conditions, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment. That means, if you have a heart condition, your risk significantly increases for premature cognitive decline, of which the most severe form is dementia.

"This link has never been made before and it has a very important impact on how we prognosticate and treat patients with cardiac conditions," says Cardiologist Dr. Olga Toleva.

(Dr. Olga Toleva)

Dr. Toleva says in the past they talked about stroke as organic damage to the brain and heart attack as organic damage to the heart. But she says this study suggests that over time, there is a noticeable change in the cognitive functions of those who have one or the other condition.

"Partially, this is because of the fact that both brain and heart cannot regenerate itself structurally," explains Dr. Toleva. "But also a lot of the times there is a psychological impact from these organic conditions that lead to disability."

She notes the link is stronger than just physical damage to the organs.

This is heart and stroke month. Dr. Toleva says the message she wants to get out this month is that those identified with certain cardiac conditions need to be made aware that they must prevent future events that may involve vascular or stroke complications. She notes each of these individually could lead to future cognitive impairment or mental disability. She notes this is the reason they need to be more supportive of patients when they are suffering from early events to prevent this from happening in the future.

Dr. Toleva is offering a few recommendations for those considered at-risk and to those who have already suffered from such an event. She says healthy lifestyles include quitting smoking, controlling your blood pressure, having a healthy diet, exercising and reducing stress are key.

"Also, awareness of signs and symptoms with early heart attack and stroke are important to prevent extensive damage caused by these conditions," she notes.