A new study published on Thursday suggests that risks to heart health may pose a greater threat to future dementia cases than smoking.
The research, conducted by scientists from University College London (UCL) and published in The Lancet Public Health, underscores the evolving landscape of dementia risk factors over recent decades.
The study delved into a combination of genetic and environmental factors known to influence dementia risk, including high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, education levels, and smoking habits.
Analyzing 27 research papers spanning data from 1947 to 2015, with the latest data updated in 2020, the researchers observed significant shifts in these risk factors and their impact on dementia prevalence.
According to the findings, trends in education and smoking have shown notable changes over time, coinciding with shifts in dementia rates.
“Education levels have risen in many higher-income countries, which has subsequently diminished its role as a prominent risk factor for dementia,” noted lead author Naaheed Mukadam from UCL Psychiatry.
Similarly, smoking rates have declined in regions like Europe and the US, attributed to changing social norms and increased costs.
Conversely, rates of obesity and diabetes have risen steadily over the same period, marking them as increasingly significant contributors to dementia risk.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, emerged as the most predominant risk factor across multiple studies, highlighting its critical role in the progression of dementia.
Mukadam emphasized the need for targeted interventions addressing cardiovascular risk factors to mitigate the growing burden of dementia.
“Cardiovascular risk factors appear to have escalated in their impact on dementia risk over time, necessitating focused strategies for future prevention efforts,” Mukadam stated.
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