Know the risk factors
Learn the risk factors to help determine whether you are at a higher risk of having dementia.
Understanding risk factors for dementia will help you to know if you or your loved ones are at higher risk of having dementia, particularly if there are possible signs of dementia. Scientists recommend trying to reduce your risk and promoting brain health from midlife onwards. Reducing risks can benefit people living with dementia too.
Some factors that increase the risk of dementia we can’t change:
- being older
- being female
- having less education
- having a family history of dementia.
Some factors that increase the risk of dementia we can change:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Unhealthy weight
- Untreated diabetes
- Uncorrected hearing loss
- Uncorrected vision
- Poor mental health
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Unhealthy diet
- Not enough physical activity
- Not enough social activity
- Not enough mental activity.
Download the Brain Health Tip sheet to help decide what you could do to keep your brain healthy.
