Exploring the relationship between parity and cardiovascular risk in older females with mild cognitive impairment

As the population of older adults is expected to rise exponentially, the necessity for a clearer understanding of the components that contribute to age-related changes in cognitive function cannot be overstated. It is critical to understand the risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia in order to improve early detection and prevention. Females are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias due to contributing factors such as age and sex hormones. Pregnancy is a significant hormonal event in a female’s life and has been found to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. While the relationship between pregnancy and cardiovascular risk in later life is well-established, whether the number of pregnancies influences this risk still requires further exploration. In this cross-sectional study, the differences in cardiovascular risk as well as executive function among levels of parity in older females with mild cognitive impairment were assessed. Further, the influence physical fitness has on the relationships between parity and cardiovascular risk as well as parity and executive function in older females with mild cognitive impairment was explored. Baseline data were compiled from two ongoing randomized controlled trials within the Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health Lab. Results showed that cardiovascular risk was lowest among primiparous females compared with multiparous females and yet, executive function was lowest among primiparous females and highest among females having given birth twice. In addition, physical fitness did not moderate the relationship between cardiovascular risk and parity nor did it moderate the relationship between parity and executive function. The findings from this highlight the importance of taking reproductive health into consideration when evaluating cardiovascular and cognitive health in females in later life.Medicine, Faculty ofGraduat