Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Managing key risk factors may lower your dementia risk

Miles J. Varn, MD
Conditions
November 23, 2022
Share
Tweet
Share

Close to 6 million adults in the U.S. are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia, according to CDC data. And that number will grow as the U.S. population ages. The number of people with Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia is projected to increase to approximately 14 million over the next 38 years.

Dementia impacts not only the people who develop this condition but also those who care for them. Caregivers face higher levels of stress, which in turn can increase the risk of a range of physical and mental health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety, headaches, sleep problems, irritable bowel syndrome, and dementia. There’s also a financial impact. Caregivers still in the workforce often have to cut back on their hours or leave their jobs to handle their caregiving responsibilities.

Considering the significant impact of dementia on both the people diagnosed with the condition and their caregivers, proactively managing your future risk is wise. The good news is that researchers have found several modifiable risk factors for dementia. That means there are proactive steps you can take that are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia.

In a 2020 study, researchers identified 12 modifiable risk factors that were associated with 40% of the cases of dementia diagnosed around the world. Those risk factors include:

  • lower levels of education
  • hearing loss
  • traumatic brain injury
  • uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • excessive consumption of alcohol
  • obesity
  • smoking
  • depression
  • social isolation
  • inactivity
  • diabetes
  • air pollution

In 2022, researchers looked at these risk factors again. They found that almost half the cases of dementia in the U.S. were related to these previously identified risk factors, with three risk factors being larger contributors to risk. All three are related to cardiovascular health –high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity. Black Americans had the highest percentage of dementia cases related to these risk factors.

Five strategies to help lower your dementia risk

There are some risk factors for Alzheimer’s and related dementias that you cannot control, for example, age and family history. But making proactive lifestyle changes can help you manage the risk factors associated with dementia that are modifiable. These changes can also improve your overall cardiovascular health and lower the risk of other health issues like diabetes and certain cancers. Start with these five lifestyle changes:

Make cardiovascular health a priority. The three top dementia risk factors—high blood pressure, obesity, and physical inactivity—negatively impact heart health. To lower your risk, get regular blood pressure screenings. If your doctor prescribes medication to control your blood pressure, take it as directed. Maintain a healthy weight by eating a diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Getting moderate physical activity most days of the week is also important. Get screened for diabetes as your primary care provider recommends, and manage your blood sugar if you’re diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes.

Break unhealthy habits. Quit if you smoke or vape. Your primary care provider can suggest approaches to smoking cessation that are appropriate for you. If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. For men, no more than two drinks a day, and one drink for women.

Manage your mental health. If you experience symptoms of depression, like consistent low mood, loss of interest in doing things you enjoy, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep problems, consistent tiredness, and thoughts of self-harm, talk to your primary care provider. Your provider can perform a depression screening and refer you to a mental health provider as needed. Social connections are also key to good mental health. Regular calls and visits with friends and family, joining a hobby or activity group, and volunteering is all good ways to stay socially connected.

Get your hearing tested. If you have any difficulty hearing or notice a change in your hearing, ask your primary care provider to assess whether you should be evaluated by an audiologist. Use hearing protection when you’re around loud noises like leaf blowers or power tools. And keep the volume moderate when listening to music, watching T.V. or streaming content, or gaming.

Prevent head injuries. Wear an appropriate, properly fitted helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle, ATV, or scooter. Wear head protection if you play contact sports, ski or snowboard, ride horses, or play baseball or softball. Always use your seat belt and never drive under the influence or ride in a car with an impaired driver.

Miles J. Varn is chief executive officer, PinnacleCare, and can be reached on LinkedIn.

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

KevinMD on the Co-Learning Clinician podcast

November 22, 2022 Kevin 0
…
Next

By failing to discuss strangulation, we are failing our patients

November 23, 2022 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Neurology

Post navigation

< Previous Post
KevinMD on the Co-Learning Clinician podcast
Next Post >
By failing to discuss strangulation, we are failing our patients

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Miles J. Varn, MD

  • Why sharing your complete medical history with your clinicians is important

    Miles J. Varn, MD
  • Caregiver? Learn how to support older relatives at doctor’s appointments.

    Miles J. Varn, MD
  • Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed. How to get the right diagnosis.

    Miles J. Varn, MD

Related Posts

  • The risk physicians take when going on social media

    Anonymous
  • 5 urban legends about risk-adjusted diagnosis coding

    Betsy Nicoletti, MS
  • Relative risk reduction is a troublesome way to convey the benefits of treatments

    Peter Ubel, MD
  • Uninsured medical students are at risk

    Zannah Herridge-Meyer, Melanie Langa, and Kelly Stewart
  • When records are wrong, patients are at risk

    Denise Reich
  • How to do risk-adjusted diagnosis coding the right way

    Betsy Nicoletti, MS

More in Conditions

  • Clinical ghosts and why they haunt our exam rooms

    Kara Wada, MD
  • High blood pressure’s hidden impact on kidney health in older adults

    Edmond Kubi Appiah, MPH
  • How declining MMR vaccination rates put future generations at risk

    Ambika Sharma, Onyi Oligbo, and Katrina Green, MD
  • How one unforgettable ER patient taught a nurse about resilience

    Kristen Cline, BSN, RN
  • Why regular exercise is the best prescription for lifelong health

    George F. Smith, MD
  • When the weight won’t budge: the hidden physiology of grief, stress, and set point

    Sarah White, APRN
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why peer support can save lives in high-pressure medical careers

      Maire Daugharty, MD | Conditions
    • When a medical office sublease turns into a legal nightmare

      Ralph Messo, DO | Physician
    • Addressing menstrual health inequities in adolescents

      Callia Georgoulis | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The shocking risk every smart student faces when applying to medical school

      Curtis G. Graham, MD | Physician
    • Clinical ghosts and why they haunt our exam rooms

      Kara Wada, MD | Conditions
    • High blood pressure’s hidden impact on kidney health in older adults

      Edmond Kubi Appiah, MPH | Conditions
    • Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • How declining MMR vaccination rates put future generations at risk

      Ambika Sharma, Onyi Oligbo, and Katrina Green, MD | Conditions
    • The physician who turned burnout into a mission for change

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 1 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why peer support can save lives in high-pressure medical careers

      Maire Daugharty, MD | Conditions
    • When a medical office sublease turns into a legal nightmare

      Ralph Messo, DO | Physician
    • Addressing menstrual health inequities in adolescents

      Callia Georgoulis | Conditions
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why “do no harm” might be harming modern medicine

      Sabooh S. Mubbashar, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • The shocking risk every smart student faces when applying to medical school

      Curtis G. Graham, MD | Physician
    • Clinical ghosts and why they haunt our exam rooms

      Kara Wada, MD | Conditions
    • High blood pressure’s hidden impact on kidney health in older adults

      Edmond Kubi Appiah, MPH | Conditions
    • Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • How declining MMR vaccination rates put future generations at risk

      Ambika Sharma, Onyi Oligbo, and Katrina Green, MD | Conditions
    • The physician who turned burnout into a mission for change

      Jessie Mahoney, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Managing key risk factors may lower your dementia risk
1 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...