Study links heart attacks and late-onset epilepsy in older adults | Newswise

A new study published November 5, 2025, in Neurology®, the American Academy of Neurology's medical journal, reveals a connection between heart attacks and the development of epilepsy in older adults. Researchers found that people who have experienced a heart attack may face a higher risk of developing late-onset epilepsy, which is epilepsy starting after the age of 60. While the findings suggest a link, the study stops short of proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The study was conducted by a team led by Dr. Evan L. Thacker from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It focused on 3,174 adults with an average age of 69, all of whom were initially free of stroke, heart attack, and epilepsy. Participants were tracked for up to 30 years. During this period, 296 individuals suffered a heart attack, 120 developed late-onset epilepsy, and 794 died from vascular causes other than stroke. These vascular causes included heart failure, irregular heartbeat, pulmonary embolism, and aortic aneurysm. Data showed that among those who had a heart attack, seven out of 1,000 person-years went on to develop epilepsy, compared to only two per 1,000 person-years in individuals without a heart attack. Even after adjusting for variables like age, smoking, and weight, heart attack survivors were about twice as likely to develop late-onset epilepsy. On the flip side, having late-onset epilepsy did not significantly increase the risk of later having a heart attack. The study also revealed a stark difference in mortality rates due to vascular causes other than stroke. Individuals who developed late-onset epilepsy faced a death rate of 99 per 1,000 person-years, compared to 16 per 1,000 person-years among those who never developed epilepsy. After adjustments, those with epilepsy were nearly three times more likely to die from vascular-related issues. Dr. Thacker highlighted the close relationship between heart and vascular health and brain health in older adults. He suggested that after a heart attack, clinicians should be vigilant for possible seizure activity later on. However, the study's authors cautioned that the relatively small number of participants who developed both heart attacks and epilepsy could make the risk estimates less certain. This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and adds to growing evidence that vascular conditions affecting the heart and brain may be interconnected, especially in aging populations. For those interested in learning more about epilepsy and brain health, resources are available through Brain & Life®, a platform from the American Academy of Neurology that provides trustworthy information from leading experts. The American Academy of Neurology, representing over 40,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals worldwide, continues to advance knowledge and care related to neurological diseases. Their mission is to promote brain health and support career fulfillment among members, while providing patients and caregivers with the latest scientific insights. Neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders like Alzheimer’s, stroke, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease, among others, emphasizing the critical link between vascular and neurological health in older adults.