Brief
Low cognitive test scores linked to higher stroke risk in Swedish seniors
A Swedish cohort of nearly 5,000 adults aged 60‑80 shows poorer performance on thinking, memory and processing‑speed tests predicts higher future stroke risk.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A study of almost 5,000 Swedish adults aged 60 to 80, published on 30 September 2026, found that lower scores on cognitive tests were associated with a substantially higher risk of stroke later in life, according to the researchers.
Participants were assessed on thinking ability, memory and processing speed between 2001 and 2023. Among those aged 60‑69, an 86% higher stroke risk was observed for the lowest‑scoring group on thinking tests, a 68% increase for low memory scores, and a 66% rise for slower processing speed.
The authors noted that the same risk pattern was not seen in participants in their 70s and 80s, suggesting that silent brain injuries may be easier to detect in younger seniors. Dr Alice Askemyr, lead author and geriatrics researcher at Lund University, said the findings highlight the importance of early brain‑health monitoring.
Askemyr warned that the results might not apply to other countries because of lifestyle and socioeconomic differences, and she recommended preventive steps from the 40s onward, echoing advice from Dr Elisabeth Breese.
Key facts
- The study involved nearly 5,000 Swedish adults aged 60‑80. (independent.co.uk)
- Low scores on thinking tests raised stroke risk by 86% for those aged 60‑69. (independent.co.uk)
- Low memory scores were linked to a 68% higher stroke risk in the same age group. (independent.co.uk)
- Slower processing‑speed scores corresponded to a 66% increased stroke risk. (independent.co.uk)
- The risk pattern was not observed in participants aged 70‑80. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “A low score on these tests may warn of greater chance of stroke, scientists discover”
