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Figure 1. Pathophysiological pathways linking myocardial infarction to cognitive decline. This diagram illustrates the mechanisms by which cardiovascular dysfunction contributes to cognitive impairment. Reduced cardiac function, indicated by decreased EF and CO, triggers systemic inflammation, which causes the release of cytokines and the activation of perivascular macrophages through angiotensin II signaling. This cascade disrupts CBF, promoting the production of ROS, Aβ aggregation, and tissue injury, which exacerbates neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation activates microglia and astrocytes, further leading to the release of proinflammatory cytokines. These processes compromise the integrity of the BBB, facilitating the progression of cognitive impairment. EF: Ejection fraction; CO: cardiac output; CBF: cerebral blood flow; ROS: reactive oxygen species; Aβ: amyloid beta; BBB: blood-brain barrier. Created in BioRender. Zouein, F. (2025), Available from: https://BioRender.com/e58z159.