SAEDNEWS: A significant portion of the increased risk of dementia is linked to high blood pressure.
According to Saed News’ social affairs service, researchers analyzing health data from residents of Copenhagen and the UK have found that individuals with obesity and high blood pressure are more likely to develop dementia. They explained that a high body mass index (BMI) is not only associated with dementia but also plays a direct role in its development.
To reach this conclusion, the researchers used Mendelian randomization, a genetic method that allows for the identification of causal factors while minimizing the influence of other confounding variables. Their data analysis showed that the higher the genetically determined BMI, the greater the risk of developing dementia in old age.
The researchers also found that a significant portion of the increased dementia risk is linked to high blood pressure. The combination of obesity and hypertension creates conditions that damage the brain’s blood vessels, accelerate cognitive decline, and lead to vascular dementia.
They emphasize that maintaining a healthy body weight and controlling blood pressure in midlife is one of the simplest ways to prevent dementia—long before the first memory or thinking problems appear.
A separate medical study presented at the recent annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) indicated that increasing muscle mass and reducing visceral fat can significantly slow brain aging.
