Dementia Support Line
Heart Health
Looking after your heart isn’t only about exercise and diet. There are various other ways you can keep your heart healthy, including controlling blood pressure. This is because hypertension can damage the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain, leading to strokes and vascular dementia. Keeping blood pressure within healthy levels may help prevent or delay these complications. The link between blood pressure and dementia is further explained here: Blood pressure and dementia risk – Alzheimer’s Research UK.
And then there’s cholesterol: high LDL cholesterol in midlife is a risk factor for developing dementia at a later date. It may not be obvious to you that your cholesterol is high. That’s why it’s useful to have your cholesterol levels checked in earlier life, giving you time to take action. You can read more about the link between dementia and cholesterol here: Cholesterol and dementia risk – Alzheimer’s Research UK
Overall, the message is that it is worth exploring those hidden health numbers, and finding out from your GP or other health practitioner whether there is anything you need to take action on.