More than 55 million people have dementia worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Hyperglycemia, smoking, overweight or obesity, sedentary lifestyle… Several factors increase the risk of dementia but, according to a new study published in the journal The Lancet Public Healththe most important would be high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, main risk factor for dementia
To achieve this result, researchers from theUniversity College de Londres (UCL) analysed 27 studies involving people with dementia from around the world. The data was collected between 1947 and 2015. Using this data, the scientists were able to determine which risk factors were most important.
Result: high blood pressure is the main risk factor. It is a cardiovascular condition which affects one in three adults in France, according to National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), but only half know it because this disease can remain silent for a long time.
People who don’t experience any symptoms may take longer to be diagnosed. Without them realizing it, the disease can therefore progress and affect other organs.
Other risk factors for dementia
During their work, the researchers also observed two other trends. The first is that obesity and diabetes, which are on the rise, are now very important risk factors for dementia.
Between 1990 and 2022, the percentage of obese adults more than doubled, from 7% to 16% according to l’OMS. The same observation applies to diabetes. Still according to l’OMS“The number of people with diabetes increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014.”
In contrast, smoking and low education levels – two factors that are declining in the societies studied – have less and less impact on dementia.
As for high blood pressure, researchers reassure: once detected, high blood pressure can be treated. To do this, patients must follow hygiene and dietary measures (balanced diet, regular physical activity, etc.) and treatment. However, 10 to 30% of hypertensive people are resistant to treatment.
