Dementia Prevention (Cont.)

Dementia Prevention Strategies Explained

 
Controlling Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a potent risk factor for dementia. About 50 million American adults have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg with multiple blood pressure readings. "Prehypertension" is any level higher than 120/80 mmHg.
 
People with hypertension often have no high blood pressure symptoms, so have your blood pressure checked every one to two years. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may suggest you make some lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt (see DASH Diet) and exercising more. Your doctor may also prescribe blood pressure medicine to help lower your blood pressure.
 
Several studies have shown that high blood pressure medicine reduces the odds of dementia in elderly people with high blood pressure. One large European study found a 55 percent lower risk of dementia in people over 60 who received drug treatment for hypertension. These people had a reduced risk of both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
 
(Click Lowering Blood Pressure for more information on options for controlling high blood pressure.)
 
Controlling Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the blood. High cholesterol does not cause damage over days, weeks, or months. Rather, over years, high blood cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, which is a narrowing or complete blockage of arteries because of the buildup of plaque. Both arteries in the brain and neck are affected by plaque buildup.
 
Research has suggested that people with high cholesterol levels have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Cholesterol is involved in formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. Mutations in a gene called CYP46 and the apoE E4 gene variant, both of which have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, are also involved in cholesterol metabolism. Several studies have also found that the use of cholesterol medicines called statins, which lower cholesterol levels, is associated with a lower likelihood of dementia.
 
You should have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked (with a lipid panel test) at least once every five years; however, if you have risk factors for heart disease or stroke, your healthcare provider may recommend that you have your cholesterol monitored more frequently. If your triglyceride or cholesterol levels are high, talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower them. You may be able to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by eating better (see Low Cholesterol Diet) and exercising more (see Exercise and Cholesterol). Your doctor may also prescribe cholesterol medication.
 
(Click Lowering Cholesterol for more information on treating high cholesterol.)
(Dementia Prevention Continued: Page 4)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD