3 things to avoid in middle age could mean 13 more years without dementia, study finds
Researchers at NYU Langone Health analysed long-term health data to explore how cardiovascular wellness during middle age influences dementia risk in later life. Their findings, published in Neurology Open Access, demonstrate that adults who successfully manage three common vascular conditions—high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking—between ages 48 and 68 may gain approximately 13 additional years free from dementia.
The study highlights that these three modifiable risk factors have substantial long-term consequences for cognitive function. By actively controlling these conditions during the critical midlife window, individuals can potentially preserve brain health significantly into older age, suggesting that preventive health management in the middle years offers substantial protection against later cognitive decline.
- Study links managing three cardiovascular risks in middle age to 13 years longer dementia-free lifespan
- Avoiding high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking between ages 48–68 significantly postpones cognitive decline
- NYU Langone Health research emphasises midlife vascular health as critical factor for later brain function