Some new research has proved that a combination of genetics and poor cardiovascular health can lead to an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. Based on these surprising findings, the authors of the study suggest that people with bad genes regarding dementia can offset some of the negative effects by making an effort to improve their cardiovascular health.
The Study
The study was published in the academic journal Neurology. It seems to indicate that despite the predisposed risk of an individual, form a genetical point of view, to develop dementia, keeping a good cardiovascular health can significantly reduce the risk of actually developing dementia.
Official Description
The National Institute of Aging, also abbreviated as NIA, describes dementia as the loss of cognitive functioning in a person. This leads to a reduced ability to reason, remember and think in that individual. There are many problems that can lead to a decline in cognitive activity, but the most common of these is by far the well-known Alzheimer’s disease.
First Signs
There is also a condition known as mild dementia that has to be mentioned. It presents as an ever-increasing forgetfulness or just momentary confusion. This is accompanied by at least one separate area of poor functioning. This might result in issues such as getting lost on your way home, indicating visuospatial problems or not knowing what to do in order to pay a bill, indicating a decline in executive function.
Dementia’s Progress
Once dementia becomes moderate or severe, it can lead to significant changes in personality, the inability to recognize friends or family, and, at some point, depending on others almost entirely for basic life activities. Thing is, dementia happens when enough neurons, which are the most important cells in the human brain, stop functioning correctly and then die. The NIA declares that Alzheimer’s disease can occur due to a combination of environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors.