Dementia's 'biggest risk factor' found in your chest and over a million Brits impacted

A recent study has suggested that the best way to predict your risk of dementia in later life could be by assessing the health of your heart right now. Research carried out by scientists at University College London has labelled poor cardiovascular health as the "biggest risk factor" for dementia, a disorder which currently impacts over a million people in the UK each year.

The comprehensive study done by UCL proposes that issues concerning heart health might have surpassed other recognised risk factors like smoking and lower levels of education when it comes down to causing dementia. According to their findings, improving heart health could greatly help in reducing the number of new dementia cases.

Approximately 944,000 individuals in the UK live with dementia, with more than half of adults knowing someone who has been diagnosed with the disease. The recent research by UCL encompassed a review of 27 studies, amassing data from dementia patients worldwide spanning from the years 1947 to 2015.

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This broad dataset was used to evaluate the impact different risk factors have had on the prevalence of dementia over the years. It's well-known dementia typically emerges due to a blend of genetic and lifestyle influences, including high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, educational level, and cigarette usage.

In a new study, it has come to light that a steep rise in obesity and diabetes rates may be boosting their impact on dementia risk. On the other hand, reductions in smoking rates and enhancements in education seem linked with a decrease in cases of dementia.

Dr Naaheed Mukadam, the leading scholar from the UCL Division of Psychiatry, revealed: "Cardiovascular risk factors may have contributed more to dementia risk over time, so these deserve more targeted action for future dementia prevention efforts.

"Our results show that levels of education have increased over time in many higher income countries, meaning that this has become a less important dementia risk factor. Meanwhile, smoking levels have also declined in Europe and the USA as it has become less socially acceptable and more expensive."

He further divulged that the observations imply population-based interventions could "significantly" influence the emergence of risk factors, thus governments might contemplate establishing programmes such as global educational policies and limitations on smoking. Of all the studies analysed by the researchers, high blood pressure stood out as being the greatest dementia risk factor.

However, they highlighted that the proactive administration of this condition has also risen over the years. Alzheimer's Research UK predicts that the present worldwide tally of 50 million dementia sufferers could triple to 152 million by 2050.

Dr Isolde Radford, a senior policy manager at the charity, declared: "This new analysis says it loud and clear that managing high blood pressure and keeping our hearts healthy is playing an important role in reducing our risk of developing dementia. With no treatments currently available in the UK that can stop or slow the diseases that cause dementia, there has never been a more pressing need for looking after our brain health to help reduce the future risk of developing dementia."

She continued: "Evidence tells us that what's good for our hearts is good for our brains, and this new research underlines the importance of this message. So, things like eating a healthy balanced diet and staying physically active can all help people to reduce their risk of dementia.

"But just one in three people know they can reduce their risk of developing dementia and there are many factors such as income and ethnicity that affect our ability to do so. That's why it's vital the next UK government takes steps to help make healthy lifestyles as achievable as possible for everyone."