BACKGROUND

Incidence of cognitive impairment and its consequences have not been fully examined in heart failure (HF).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine associations of HF with cognitive decline, frequencies and risks of, and time-to-develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia during 15-year follow-up.

METHODS

For this retrospective cohort study, data were retrieved from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Cognitive decline was assessed using the Uniform Data Set neuropsychological battery. Development of MCI and dementia was assessed using clinically diagnosed cognitive status.

RESULTS

Compared with participants without HF (n = 12 904), participants with HF (n = 256) had more decline in attention, executive function, and memory while controlling for covariates including apolipoprotein E4. Participants with HF developed MCI or dementia more frequently (44.9% vs 34.4%), developed dementia faster from normal cognition, and had a lower risk of dementia from MCI after controlling for covariates (hazard ratio, 0.71) than participants without HF.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart failure was associated with accelerated cognitive decline.