Scoring poorly on cognitive tests in your 60s could be a red flag for future stroke. A large Swedish study found that adults aged 60–69 with the lowest scores in global cognition, episodic memory, and perceptual speed had up to 86% higher stroke risk than top scorers. The same link wasn't seen in adults aged 70 and older.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that cognitive performance in your 60s may be a meaningful predictor of stroke risk — and that the window for intervention may be earlier than most people think. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 5,000 adults in Sweden's Good Aging in Skåne (GÅS) cohort, tracking them for an average of 12.3 years.
Among adults aged 60–69, those who scored in the lowest tertile for global cognition, episodic memory, and perceptual speed had significantly elevated stroke risk compared to top scorers. Notably, these associations were not significant in adults aged 70 and older, suggesting the 60s may represent a critical window. Researchers hypothesize that "silent" brain injuries — which affect roughly 70% of adults over 70 — may be easier to detect in the 60s, before they become widespread.
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Why it matters: This research points to cognitive testing as a potential new screening tool for stroke risk in otherwise healthy adults in their 60s. Experts say it reinforces the urgency of managing vascular risk factors and prioritizing brain health in midlife — well before most people start thinking about it.
