Association between cardiovascular disease risk and cognitive function in older adults based on the China-PAR model: a cross-sectional study

Objective To investigate the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and cognitive function in older adults using the China-PAR model. Methods This study adopted stratified random sampling. A total of 570 older adults were selected from 3,750 health examinations at a community health service station, with sample size calculated by the cross-sectional study formula. We collected questionnaire and physical examination data including demographics, blood pressure and metabolic indicators. Cognitive function was measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and cardiovascular risk was assessed via the China-PAR model. All analyses were performed with SPSS 27.0 using Spearman's rank correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results The mean MoCA score was 25.94 ± 2.71. MoCA scores differed significantly across CVD risk groups and were negatively correlated with CVD risk level (r = −0.56, p < 0.001). In the primary adjusted Model 2, both the high-risk (B = −0.68, p < 0.001) and moderate-risk groups (B = −0.31, p = 0.02) had significantly lower MoCA scores than the low-risk group. In the sensitivity analysis (Model 3) additionally adjusting for age and gender, the results were similar (high risk: B = −0.65, p < 0.001; moderate risk: B = −0.30, p = 0.03). Compared with the college group, all lower education groups showed significantly lower MoCA scores. Sensitivity analyses restricted to participants aged ≤ 74 years yielded a similar pattern of findings. Conclusion Higher CVD risk was associated with poorer cognitive function in this study population, with lower MoCA scores observed particularly among participants in the high-risk group. Given the cross-sectional design, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationship between CVD risk and cognitive function.