A healthy lifestyle cuts the risk of dementia in half

A healthy cardiovascular lifestyle nearly halves the risk of age-related dementia, according to groundbreaking research. The findings suggest that cardiovascular disease and dementia can be prevented at the same time.

A healthy lifestyle may be one of the keys to avoiding dementia later in life. Sensational findings from researchers at Rigshospitalet, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, and the University of Copenhagen show that you can nearly halve your risk of age-related dementia by following the healthy lifestyle recommendations used to prevent cardiovascular disease.

There are currently no medications that can cure or reduce the risk of dementia. According to one of the researchers behind the study, Professor and Chief Physician Ruth Frikke-Schmidt from the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet, it is therefore crucial to intensify prevention efforts in general, but especially for those segments of the population where targeted prevention is most beneficial—namely, among those most vulnerable to developing dementia.

– We have identified a combination of factors—age, gender, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure, education, physical activity, and natural genetic variation—that, when taken together, can pinpoint the groups most at risk of developing dementia compared to the general population. Our research results show that a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle nearly halves the risk of developing dementia, even in those segments of the population where genetics play the greatest role. These results can form the basis for better-targeted prevention efforts in the future, thereby maximizing the impact for the individual, says Ruth Frikke-Schmidt.

The new study has been published in the leading cardiology journal *European Heart Journal* and presented at the European Atherosclerosis Society’s international congress.

Targeted prevention

According to Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, controlled clinical studies have shown that memory can be maintained or improved through a combination of an intensive prevention program involving supervised physical and cognitive training several times a week, along with dietary guidance and management of cardiovascular risk factors.

“Implementing such a comprehensive prevention program for all citizens would be financially unrealistic, which is why our new findings are important for targeting the program at those segments of the population where it will be most beneficial,” says Ruth Frikke-Schmidt.

Worldwide, approximately 50 million people are affected by dementia, and in Denmark alone, about 90,000 people live with the disease. The rising global incidence of both dementia and cardiovascular disease means that both targeted and more general prevention are important, and Ruth Frikke-Schmidt sees great potential in adopting a joint prevention approach for these two disease groups.

“If we can make this a reality from both a political and a health perspective, we now have a unique opportunity to add disease-free years to old age and ensure a better quality of life for older citizens and their families,” says Ruth Frikke-Schmidt.

Over 60,000 blood samples analyzed

The researchers analyzed data from questionnaires and blood samples from 62,000 participants in the Herlev-Østerbro Study and the Østerbro Study. The research results showed that the combination of not having diabetes, being a non-smoker, and having more than eight years of education nearly halved the risk of age-related dementia, even in the segments of the population where genetic factors played the greatest role. Increased physical activity and normal blood pressure were also beneficial.

The research project was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Ida Juul Rasmussen, MD, PhD (Rigshospitalet), Dr. Katrine Laura Rasmussen, MD, PhD (Rigshospitalet and North Zealand Hospital), Professor Børge G. Nordestgaard, MD, PhD (Herlev-Gentofte Hospital), and Katrine Laura Rasmussen (Rigshospitalet and North Zealand Hospital), Professor, Chief Physician, Dr. med. Børge G. Nordestgaard (Herlev-Gentofte Hospital), and Professor, Chief Physician, Dr. med. Anne Tybjærg-Hansen (Rigshospitalet).

The research project is supported by the Research Committee of Rigshospitalet, the Capital Region Research Fund, the Lundbeck Foundation, and the Danish Heart Association.