What is brain health?
When your brain is healthy, it has the blood flow required for peak performance. A healthy brain is essential for living a long and full life. When your brain is healthy, you're better able to pay attention, solve problems, communicate, and much more.
![Icon of brain with a question mark in the middle](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/descbrain.jpg?h=449&la=en&mw=600&w=451&hash=CDA49A862C630D91FCD41FEE6308AC45E4B218A1)
Poor brain health is more serious than you think
- Failing brain health is a public health epidemic.
- The brain begins showing signs of cognitive decline as a person enters their 20s.
- 3 out of 5 Americans will develop a brain disease in their lifetime.
- By 2030, the total cost of Alzheimer's, dementia, and stroke is expected to exceed $1 Trillion.
Live better with Life's Simple 7
Complete an assessment, get a Heart Health Score with recommendations to make improvements, and track your progress.
Things you can do now
Brain health matters no matter your age. The choices you make today can help you have a healthier brain tomorrow.
7 small steps to big changes
A healthy brain has a lot to do with your lifestyle. Here are 7 small steps you can take that make a big difference.
![smiling Woman making heart hand gesture smiling Woman making heart hand gesture](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/woman-making-heart-gesture.jpg?h=442&la=en&mw=600&w=600&hash=5E152130ACC63B3877330FD3E4B6BA209F7C79E9)
![Woman exercising while listening to music Woman exercising while listening to music](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/woman-exercising.jpg?h=400&la=en&mw=600&w=600&hash=8F32FB710D653D5E11C1E5988794E173A68393AB)
Join the Healthy for Good™ Movement
Find the support and resources you need to make positive, permanent changes that can help improve health and brain function.
Regret bad selfies, not brain health
Everyone has regrets; don't let your brain health be one of them. Learn about preventing stroke from the American Stroke Association.
![Everyone has regrets. Don't let your brain health be one - leg illustration](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/brain-health-regret.jpg?h=475&la=en&mw=600&w=475&hash=80BBEC847D45DD4E4EA4787AF940287884E3DDC4)
![Older couple jogging through the neighborhood Older couple jogging through the neighborhood](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/couple-jogging.jpg?h=533&la=en&mw=960&w=800&hash=E748E0A9133E64DCEB9CB590A0BCBDD8B77ED230)
![Father playing a guitar while mother and daughter dance](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/family-guitar-dancing.jpg?h=533&la=en&mw=960&w=800&hash=8DC898187AFDFA038D8184DF570C49401B7DFBDE)
![Older couple jogging through the neighborhood Older couple jogging through the neighborhood](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/couple-jogging.jpg?h=533&la=en&mw=960&w=800&hash=E748E0A9133E64DCEB9CB590A0BCBDD8B77ED230)
What you do today impacts your chances of staying mentally sharp as you age.
![Father playing a guitar while mother and daughter dance](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20210120051106im_/https://www.heart.org/-/media/images/health-topics/brain-health/family-guitar-dancing.jpg?h=533&la=en&mw=960&w=800&hash=8DC898187AFDFA038D8184DF570C49401B7DFBDE)
Managing risk factors early on can make a difference for long-term brain health.
Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain, Healthy Aging
Choices you make today can help prevent stroke and heart disease and keep you mentally sharp as you age.
Strokes and Brain Health
The actions you take affect your brain health. It is never too late to improve it.
Defining Optimal Brain Health in Adults: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
Presidential advisories and scientific statements are published by the American Heart Association to provide an overview of a topic for healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public. Advisories and statements are based on a review of many peer reviewed, published scientific studies and represent a consensus opinion. All of the studies that are reviewed are cited in the advisory or statement.