Vascular Health Risk Factors Linked to heightened Dementia Risk in Study
Keeping Your Pipes Clean: Vascular Health and Brain Function
The plumbing system running through your body, known as the vascular system, is crucial for transporting oxygen and removing waste products. Here are some simple tricks to maintain a healthy vascular system:
- Quit Smoking: This destructive habit significantly damages your blood vessels and leads to an increase in health problems, such as heart disease and dementia.
- Control Your Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a silent killer that can cause damage to the delicate blood vessels in your brain, leading to dementia.
- Watch Your Sugars: Diabetes, a disease caused by high blood sugar levels, further increases your risk of dementia and interacts with high blood pressure to magnify your chances of cognitive decline.
- Stay Active: Regular exercise boosts your heart health and helps manage weight, reducing the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Eat Right: A balanced diet low in processed foods and high in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help maintain a healthy weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Living with a clogged vascular system puts you at an increased risk for a range of health issues, including:
- Vascular Diseases: Conditions like aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, pulmonary embolism, and varicose veins can occur when your vascular system is not functioning properly.
- Cardiovascular Problems: Heart attack and stroke are common complications of vascular disease and can do severe damage to the brain, causing cognitive decline or dementia.
- Kidney Disease: Poorly functioning blood vessels can lead to kidney damage, exacerbating the chances of developing dementia.
A recent study uncovered a link between certain midlife vascular risk factors and the risk of developing dementia later in life. Specifically, the researchers identified high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking as significant risk factors. They discovered that these vascular risk factors were more prevalent among self-identified female and Black participants, as well as non-carriers of the APOE ε4 gene, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's.
To clarify the connection between midlife vascular risk factors and dementia risk, the scientists analyzed data from approximately 7,700 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which ran from 1987-2020 with a 33-year follow-up. They focused on three primary vascular risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.
The study found that between 22-44% of dementia cases reported by participants by age 80 were attributable to midlife and late-life vascular risk factors. "That 22-44% of population-level dementia risk by 80 years was attributed to at least one vascular risk factor from midlife through early late-life (ages 45-74 years) signals a major prevention gap," said study author Jason R. Smith, PhD, ScM. "Clinical and public health interventions targeting vascular risk beginning as early as midlife could delay or prevent a sizable fraction of dementia risk by 80 years."
In conclusion, maintaining a healthy vascular system through midlife plays a significant role in decreasing the risk of developing dementia. While this research does not provide evidence on individual-level dementia risk reduction, the message is clear: what's good for the heart is good for the brain. Treating vascular risk factors early and maintaining optimal vascular health throughout life can substantially reduce dementia incidence, particularly among certain demographic groups affected disproportionately by these vascular risks.
- Adopting a smoke-free lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of dementia and other neurological diseases associated with damaged blood vessels.
- Neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia are more prevalent among certain demographic groups, such as self-identified females, Black participants, and non-carriers of the APOE ε4 gene, due to increased midlife vascular risk factors.
- Controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes, and avoiding smoking are key strategies in maintaining optimal cardiovascular health, which in turn contributes to brain function and dementia prevention.
- Diet and nutrition play a crucial role in cardiovascular and overall health, with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains promoting healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Regular exercise not only boosts heart health but also helps manage weight, reducing the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure – two major vascular risk factors for dementia.
- Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, often associated with vascular system dysfunction, can lead to a range of health-and-wellness issues including kidney disease, cardiovascular problems, and dementia.
- Respiratory conditions and skin-conditions may indirectly affect vascular health due to their potential impact on overall health and wellness, thus increasing the risk of vascular diseases.
- Therapies-and-treatments targeting vascular risk factors early in life could delay or prevent a significant fraction of dementia risk, particularly among those disproportionately affected by these risk factors.
- CBD, a compound extracted from cannabis, has been studied for its potential benefits on cardiovascular health, and may contribute to maintaining a healthy vascular system.
- Fitness-and-exercise, in addition to supporting cardiovascular and mental health, can play a role in managing stress and promoting better sleep, both essential for overall well-being and vascular health.
