A slower walking pace could be a sign of cognitive decline or dementia, a new study suggests. Researchers and other experts discuss how the link could facilitate earlier diagnoses.

A possible reason for the increase is that heart conditions may raise dementia risk. Some medications, like those for high blood pressure, are also given for early cognitive decline symptoms, making the connection harder to understand. Each of these associations will need to be investigated further before conclusions are drawn.

Having a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness reduced the risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s, even in people at high genetic risk, a new study found.

Long-term use of cardiovascular drugs may reduce dementia risk in older adults by up to 25%, while antiplatelet drugs could increase it. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and investigate related lifestyle factors.

Experts said that ‘cardiorespiratory fitness’ could be used as a predictor for thinking and memory problems in older age.