Latest research has revealed that smokers who frequently eat foods high in fat are at a greater risk of dementia, with high blood pressure boosting this possibility by nearly 70%.
Those with raised blood sugar levels are 66% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia, while those who smoke and regularly consume foods high in cholesterol have a 45% greater chance of developing the condition, scientists have found.
Dementia is an illness that is associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning, resulting in severe memory loss and confusion. The condition primarily affects adults over the age of 65.
Academics from the Netherlands examined the brain health of more than 4,000 adults to detect whether symptoms of cerebral small vessel disease were present, which is often a prior indication of dementia.
- High blood pressure is being overlooked in women for menopause and stress
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Additionally, each participant completed surveys about their mental ability and lifestyle choices.
They found that high blood pressure was the most influential factor that can trigger dementia, particularly amongst those aged between 30 and 50. Smoking and eating a high-fat diet were also found to cause dementia.
Nearly half of the American population suffer with high blood pressure, with only a quarter being able to manage their condition correctly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
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More than a third of the populations in Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Mississippi have high blood pressure, previous analysis has discovered.
According to prior studies, plaques on the brain are formed by raised blood pressure, which is known to cause dementia.
In the USA, five million people had dementia in 2014, with the number predicted to triple by 2060, the CDCR says.
Memory loss, a lack of concentration and slow mobility are key symptoms of dementia. The most regular cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s, a condition that causes the brain to shrivel.
