Three midlife health factors could delay dementia by 13 years, study finds
A study published in Neurology Open Access indicates that maintaining vascular health by avoiding diabetes, hypertension, and smoking in midlife can delay dementia onset by up to 13 years. The research emphasizes the importance of modifiable lifestyle factors in long-term brain health.
Why it matters
As global dementia cases rise, identifying preventative lifestyle measures is crucial for public health policy and individual longevity.
Having normal blood pressure, no diabetes, and not smoking from age 48 to 68 are associated with nearly 13 additional years, on average, of dementia-free life, according to a new study. Dementia is one of the fastest-growing health burdens worldwide. Every year, 10 million new cases are diagnosed globally, according to the World Health Organization, and that number is projected to surpass 150 million by 2050. The rising toll has prompted researchers to focus on prevention and the modifiable lifestyle factors people can adopt in midlife for healthier ageing.
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