THERE’S currently no cure for dementia and while there’s no guaranteed way to prevent it, certain things can reduce your risk.
A new study has found common cardiovascular drugs can lower risk of developing dementia – but certain medications are linked to cognitive decline.
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Cardiovascular disease is a major risk factor for dementia, and the two are linked in a number of ways.
People with heart and blood circulation problems, like high blood pressure or heart disease, are more likely to develop vascular dementia.
This is because these conditions can increase the risk of a stroke or bleed in the brain’s blood vessels.
Heart disease can also increase the amount of beta-amyloid, a protein that builds up and triggers Alzheimer’s.
But the new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden showed long-term use of common cardiovascular drugs is associated with lower risk of dementia later in life.
Researchers found long-term use of antihypertensive drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs, diuretics and blood-thinning drugs is associated with between four and 25 percent lower risk of dementia.
And combinations of the drugs had stronger protective effects than if they were used alone.
Mozhu Ding, assistant professor at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, and one of the lead authors of the paper, said: “We can see a clear link between long-term use – five years or more – of these drugs and reduced risk of dementia in older age.”
But a common painkiller could raise the risk
But the researchers also found, on the contrary, the use of antiplatelet drugs may be linked to a higher risk of dementia.
Antiplatelet drugs are medicines used to prevent strokes and stop platelets from clumping together.
Examples if antiplatelet drugs include:
- Aspirin
- P2Y12 receptor blockers
- Dipyridamole
- Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
Aspirin is an everyday painkiller for aches and pains such as headache, toothache and period pain.
But a low-dose can also help to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people who are at high risk of them.
The researchers offered a possible explanation that these drugs increase the risk of microbleeds in the brain, which are associated with cognitive decline.
How the study was carried out
As part of the study, the researchers used Swedish national registers.
Around 88,000 people over the age of 70 who were diagnosed with dementia between 2011 and 2016 were included in the study, as well as 880,000 controls.
Information on cardiovascular medicines was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.
Alexandra Wennberg, affiliated researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine and the other lead author of the paper, said: “Previous studies have focused on individual drugs and specific patient groups but in this study, we take a broader approach.”
The researchers concluded the study is an important piece of the puzzle for finding new treatments for dementia.
Wennberg added: “We currently have no cure for dementia, so it’s important to find preventive measures.”
The researchers also stressed the importance of further studies, especially randomised controlled clinical trials, to better understand the mechanisms behind the findings.
Among other things, they will continue to study how diet and lifestyle, in addition to drug treatment for cardiovascular disease, affect the risk of developing dementia.
How to lower your risk of dementia
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing dementia. Alzheimer’s Society offers the following tips:
Do regular physical exercise
Regular physical activity is considered one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. There are two main types – aerobic activity and strength-building activity. Aerobic activity includes activities like brisk walking, running and swimming. Strength-building include exercises like squats and push-ups. A combination of both types of activity is best.
Drink less alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol exposes your brain to high levels of harmful chemicals. You should avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol each week. This is the equivalent of one pint of beer and a small glass of wine each day.
Don’t smoke
Smoking harms the circulation of blood around, particularly blood vessels in the brain. The earlier you stop smoking, the more brain damage you’ll avoid.
Stay mentally well and socially active
People who have periods of depression and are socially isolated are at higher risk of developing dementia. Engaging in social activities can help build up your brain’s ability to relieve stress and improve your mood.
Manage long-term health conditions
Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can increase the risk of getting dementia. Going for a health check to see if you have any of these is advised. Eating well and regularly exercising can help prevent and manage these conditions.
Protect your eyesight and hearing
Uncorrected vision loss can increase the risk of dementia. Similarly, hearing loss is tied to increased risk of dementia and could be an early symptom. The use of hearing aids has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia to the level of a person with normal hearing.
Protect your head
Traumatic brain injuries caused by a blow or jolt to the head, particularly when a person is knocked unconscious, can start a process in the brain where the substances that cause Alzheimer’s disease build up around the injured area. If you’re in a situation where there’s higher-than-normal risk of head injury, such as riding a bike or playing cricket, make sure to wear protective headgear.
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