Research Suggests Avoiding These 3 Things In Midlife Could Delay Dementia For Years
Taking care of your heart may come with a major bonus: a longer dementia-free life.That’s according to a new study that found a link between avoiding three major vascular risk factors—smoking, having diabetes, and having abnormal blood pressure—and roughly 13 more years without dementia.1 The findings, which were published in the journal Neurology, highlight the interconnectedness of […] The post…
A recent study reveals that avoiding three major vascular risk factors—smoking, diabetes, and high or low blood pressure—could delay dementia by up to 13 years. Published in the journal Neurology, the research, led by Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, emphasizes the connection between heart and brain health. The study followed 12,409 adults from four U.S. communities over 26 years, tracking cognitive testing and hospital records.
Participants who avoided all three risk factors experienced an average of 30.1 dementia-free years, compared to 17.5 years for those with all three factors. However, the worst vascular health was also linked to higher mortality before dementia onset, potentially skewing the results. While smoking and conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can harm blood vessels and the brain, the study's findings highlight the potential benefits of maintaining these factors.
However, the researchers caution that more research is needed to establish causation, and a comprehensive approach to brain health, including other lifestyle habits, is essential.
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