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:
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use
- Social Isolation
- Depression
- Physical Inactivity
- Being overweight or obese
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Hearing loss
- Having a head injury where you lose consciousness
- Air pollution.
