Cardiovascular disease in older adults with intellectual disabilities: Prevalence, incidence, and risk factors

Older adults with intellectual disabilities face an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, which are responsible for nearly one-third of all global mortality and have profound long-term impacts on both quality of life and healthcare costs. Despite the significant burden of cardiovascular diseases, research on cardiovascular health in this population remains limited in comparison to the general population. This knowledge is crucial for healthcare professionals and policymakers in order to enhance care delivery and optimize resource allocation.

This dissertation examines the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular diseases in older adults with intellectual disabilities, alongside the identification of associated risk factors. This is achieved through a systematic literature review and the Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disabilities (HA-ID) study, a prospective multicentre cohort study conducted among older adults with intellectual disabilities.

Based on the findings, the dissertation offers recommendations for clinical practice, focusing on the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular diseases in older adults with intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, it highlights the need for future longitudinal research, which is vital for the development of targeted, evidence-informed guidelines aimed at improving cardiovascular health outcomes for this population.