This midlife habits linked to 13 extra years without Dementia
New York: Having normal blood pressure, not having diabetes, and not smoking between ages 48 and 68 could help people live an average of 13 years longer without developing dementia, a new study suggests.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health analyzed data from more than 12,000 U.S. adults who were followed for decades. The long-term study tracked midlife vascular risk factors and later diagnoses of dementia.
Participants with none of the three risk factors lived dementia-free almost 13 years longer than those who had all three, the team found. The findings add to growing evidence linking positive lifestyle choices in midlife with a lower risk of cognitive decline later in life.“Our findings argue that people need to actively avert these factors in midlife as a strategy for preserving brain health for more than a decade,” said study lead Dr. Josef Coresh, director at Langone’s Optimal Aging Institute.
Scientists say heart and blood vessel health is closely tied to brain health. Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can damage vessels that supply the brain, while smoking increases inflammation and stroke risk — all factors linked to dementia.
Researchers note that while genetics also play a role, addressing these three modifiable risks in middle age could have a major impact on how long people stay cognitively healthy.
