The 7 health tests that can tell if YOU are at risk of dementia

On

The 7 health tests that can tell if YOU are at risk of dementia

The 7 health tests that can tell if YOU are at risk of dementia: Smokers and people who are overweight or have unhealthy diets are most at risk

  • People who look after their heart health in their 60s are less at risk of dementia
  • Researchers recommend people stop smoking, stay slim and exercise often
  • They also advice two portions of fish a week, and three of fruit and veg a day
  • In addition, keep cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure levels in check
  • e-mail

23

View
comments

Scientists have revealed the seven health tests that tell a person their risk of developing dementia in later life.

These seven tests are whether a person: smokes, is overweight, exercises regularly, eats fish and fruit or vegetables often, and has healthy blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels. 

The French study concluded that people over 60 who look after their heart health are less likely to suffer memory and cognitive decline eight years later.

Around 850,000 people in the UK have dementia, of which approximately 62 per cent suffer from Alzheimer’s, the most common form of the disease. Some 5.7 million have Alzheimer’s in the US. 


Scientists have revealed the seven health tests that tell a person their risk of developing dementia in later life – and it all comes down to looking after your heart (stock)

  • Country’s top nurse resigns after NHS pay blunder left tens… 74 per cent of hospitals do not consistently give women… Two-thirds of overdoses involve a complex cocktail of drugs… Osteoporosis sufferers are up to 30% more likely to develop…

Share this article

THE SEVEN TESTS THAT TELL A PERSON THEIR RISK OF DEMENTIA 

According to the University of Bordeaux, people over 65 are more at risk of dementia in later life if they:

  • Smoke
  • Have a BMI over 25
  • Do not exercise regularly
  • Do not eat fish twice a week or fruit and vegetables three times a day
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Have high cholesterol
  • Have high blood sugar 

How the research was carried out   

The researchers, from the University of Bordeaux, assessed the heart health of 6,626 people aged over 65 to determine whether this affected their risk of dementia.

Heart health was evaluated via the seven-item checklist from the American Heart Association.

The heart-health recommendations include not smoking, having a BMI under 25, exercising regularly and eating well.

Other advice includes having a cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL, glucose under 100 mg/dL and a blood pressure reading of no more than 120/80 mm Hg.

After assessing all of the participants for the above, they were given a heart health score.

Their cognitive function was investigated multiple times between 1999 and 2016. 


People can maintain their heart and cognitive health by exercising often (stock)

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES


Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN 

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain.

There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.

It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.

In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.

Source: Dementia UK 

Looking after your heart benefits your brain 

Results suggest people with poor heart health scores in their 60s are more at risk of dementia eight years later. 

The more cardiovascular advice a person fails to follow, the greater their risk of dementia becomes. 

Limitations of the study include its participants only being white and from urban areas. Therefore the findings, published in the journal JAMA, may not apply to the general population. 

Osteoporosis sufferers are up to 30% more likely to develop dementia 

This comes after research released earlier this month suggested osteoporosis patients are up to 30 per cent more likely to develop dementia.

Women with the bone-weakening disorder are 30 per cent more at risk of developing the memory-loss condition, while males with osteoporosis are 20 per more likely to develop dementia, according to the first study of its kind.

Study author Dr Louis Jacob, from Paris University, said: ‘The major hypothesis to explain the association between osteoporosis and dementia is that these two conditions have similar risk factors.’ 

Such risks factors include certain genetic mutations, as well as vitamin and hormone deficiencies.  

Osteoporosis affects around one in four women and one in eight men worldwide. Women are more at risk due to them having smaller, thinner bones. Their risk increases post-menopause when the protective hormone oestrogen declines. 

Source: Read Full Article