A study from NYU Langone Health indicates that middle-aged adults who avoid hypertension, diabetes and smoking can live almost 13 years longer without dementia. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining cardiovascular health between ages 48 and 68.

The analysis, published in the journal Neurology Open Access, is based on the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, which began in 1986. It involves more than 12,000 participants with an average follow-up of 26 years. The results show significant differences in cognitive health between those who avoided the risk factors and those who did not.

“These results suggest that vascular risk reduction may benefit all groups, but that certain populations, such as black adults, may especially benefit from targeted prevention efforts,” said Dr. Josef Coresh, principal investigator of the study and founding director of the Institute for Optimal Aging at NYU Langone, who expressed the hope that the data will motivate people to quit smoking and control their cardiovascular health starting at age 40, reported Fox News Digital.

Among the key results of the research are:

Demographic disparities and cognitive health

The study reveals disparities in cognitive health by sex and race. Women, on average, have more dementia-free years compared to men, regardless of risk factors.

Differences by race:

Implications and recommendations

Researchers urge the implementation of cardiovascular prevention measures from middle age.

This strategy is crucial given the elevated risk of dementia in the US population, especially among individuals from diverse racial communities.

Strategies to prevent hypertension and diabetes

The most effective strategies to prevent hypertension and diabetes in midlife are maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, eating less salt and sugar, and avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol. It also helps to monitor blood pressure and glucose periodically to detect changes in time.

Habits with the greatest impact

Practical routine

A simple way to apply it is to build meals with half the plate in vegetables, a quarter in lean protein and a quarter in whole carbohydrates, in addition to walking almost every day. Checking blood pressure and glucose at regular check-ups also allows us to act before established disease appears.

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