Researchers assessed memory, thinking and brain processing speed in more than 1,000 New York City residents and found people did much better on these tests when they had heart-healthy habits like avoiding cigarettes, maintaining a normal weight and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in check. “Our findings reinforce current recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention but suggest that they may also promote cognitive health,” lead study author Hannah Gardener, a neurology researcher at the University of Miami Medical School, said by email.