According to the researchers behind the study, the results show that high BMI (body mass index) and high blood pressure are not just warning signs, but actually appear to cause certain types of dementia.
The researchers analyzed data from nearly 500,000 participants in Denmark and the United Kingdom. They used a method called Mendelian randomization to rule out other factors, such as socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, as causes of dementia.
Treatment can help
The risk seems to increase most at a BMI of 30, which is classified as obesity. A large part of the increased dementia risk appears to be driven by high blood pressure. This means, according to the researchers, that preventing or treating obesity and high blood pressure could help reduce the risk of dementia.
It's positive because these are factors that can be changed, says Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, one of the researchers behind the study, which was published in the journal The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Important to start on time
The link is particularly strong for vascular dementia, which is caused by poor blood circulation and small clots in the brain.
It doesn't seem to be enough to lose weight once a dementia diagnosis is made. But lowering your BMI and blood pressure early in life can prevent brain damage from occurring.
Losing weight can be challenging, but treating high blood pressure is often easier and could prevent dementia, says Frikke-Schmidt.
The researchers also found that the risk of dementia increased with a BMI lower than 18.5. But they write this could be because people with dementia may not eat properly and therefore lose weight.
Both obesity and high blood pressure also increase the risk of several other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
This shows even more that it is important to treat these, says Ruth Frikke-Schmidt.
High blood pressure increases the risk of several diseases, such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, dementia and impaired blood circulation in the legs.
It is often enough to change your lifestyle if you only have a slight increase in blood pressure and no signs of damage to, for example, the kidneys, heart or eyes.
It can help to lose weight, drink less alcohol and exercise regularly.
Sometimes medication is needed, and there are several different medications that lower blood pressure. Usually two or more medications are needed to lower blood pressure enough.
The goal for most people is to have an average blood pressure below 140/90, often below 130/80. It should be in the lower range for those with diabetes, kidney disease, or very high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Source: 1177
