health
Study finds three midlife health factors that could delay dementia for 13 years
Research suggests addressing risk factors for poor cardiovascular health between the ages of 45 and 65 could help reduce risk of cognitive decline
TL;DR
- Three midlife health measures—normal blood pressure, no type 2 diabetes, and not smoking—may delay dementia for over a decade.
- Individuals free of these three risk factors between ages 45-65 experienced, on average, nearly 13 more years without dementia.
- The study, analyzing data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (Aric) study, highlights the lasting effects of midlife vascular health on brain health.
- Addressing these modifiable risk factors in midlife is crucial for preserving brain health and potentially preventing or delaying dementia cases.
- Women and white individuals in the study tended to have more dementia-free years than men and black individuals, respectively.
- Experts believe nearly half of global dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing risk factors.