A Chinese study published in the journal of the American Heart Association suggests that middle aged and older adults with sensory impairments, specifically hearing and vision loss, have an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks.
Researchers analysed data from 11,332 Chinese adults aged 45 and older without a history of cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. Over seven years of follow-up, 2,156 participants were diagnosed with a stroke, cardiac arrest, heart attack, chest pains, severe arrhythmias, heart failure or other cardiovascular problems.
Compared with those who did not have any sensory issues, those with only vision problems had a 24 per cent higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and those with only hearing loss had a 20 per cent increased risk. The risk was 35 per cent for participants with both hearing and vision problems.
"With the continuous ageing of the population, the incidence and prevalence of hearing loss and impaired vision are increasing," the study said. It is estimated that by 2050, globally, 895 million people will have impaired vision, while 2.5 billion people will suffer from hearing loss.
Researchers suggest that screening for sensory deficits, and treating them with eyeglasses or hearing aids, could lower the burden of cardiovascular diseases and related morbidity and mortality.