Neuropsychological Sequelae of Coronary Heart Disease in Women: A Systematic Review

N F Narvaez Linares; M Poitras; J Burkauskas; K Nagaratnam; Z Burr; P R Labelle; H Plamondon

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.026

Neuropsychological Sequelae of Coronary Heart Disease in Women: A Systematic Review

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Aug:127:837-851. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.026. Epub 2021 May 29.

Authors

N F Narvaez Linares¹, M Poitras², J Burkauskas³, K Nagaratnam⁴, Z Burr⁵, P R Labelle⁶, H Plamondon⁷

Affiliations

¹ Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: nnarv038@uottawa.ca.
² Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: mpoit061@uottawa.ca.
³ Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Vyduno al. 4, Palanga, LT-00135, Lithuania. Electronic address: julius.burkauskas@lsmuni.lt.
⁴ Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: knaga018@uottawa.ca.
⁵ Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: zburr094@uottawa.ca.
⁶ University of Ottawa Library, 120 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: plabelle@uottawa.ca.
⁷ Behavioural Neuroscience Group, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: Helene.Plamondon@uottawa.ca.

PMID: 34062209
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.026

Abstract

Heart disease, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), is the leading cause of death among aging women. However, over the past years, the mortality rate has declined, resulting in an increased number of CHD survivors. In this context, research has uncovered relationships between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that CHD can act as a precursor. Despite heart disease affecting both sexes, CVD research has significantly neglected women. Therefore, we conducted the first systematic review of neuropsychological sequelae of CHD in women to gain a clear portrait of the current knowledge of the association of CHD on women's neuropsychological status. We found that studies continue to include an insufficient number of women in their research. Our work also uncovered that there is variability in the definition of CHD by researchers (i.e., operationalization of the variable), which could explain inconsistencies across studies. Overall, we found evidence that supports the heart-brain disease hypothesis. To conclude, we provide several guidelines for future research involving the impact of CHD in women.

Keywords: cognitive function; coronary heart disease; neuropsychological assessment; systematic review; women.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Aging
Cardiovascular Diseases*
Coronary Disease* / complications
Female
Humans
Risk Factors
Survivors