Is there really a way to prevent dementia? According to a health expert based in Britain, the seventh leading cause of death globally could be prevented with a simple health check-up.
According to the Lancet Commission, nearly 45 per cent of dementia cases are potentially preventable or delayable.
Britain's leading brain expert, Adam Greenstein, said that the single biggest modifiable factor causing memory loss is hypertension, and therefore it should be checked regularly.
"High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the single biggest modifiable factor causing memory loss," Greenstein told the Daily Mail. He also added that from the middle age onwards, the blood pressure should be checked regularly so that medical intervention could be sought from the beginning itself.
What is dementia?
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An umbrella term used to describe a range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, and other thinking skills. In 2025, over 55 million people worldwide will be living with dementia. According to experts, the number is expected to double every 20 years.
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. Symptoms worsen over time, affecting memory, language, and behaviour that disrupts the quality of life.
Recently, the relationship between hypertension and dementia has been much discussed in the medical world, and new studies are also emerging. The American Heart Association noted that targeting hypertension as a treatable condition could delay the onset of cognitive deterioration.
Studies have also shown that high blood pressure contributes particularly to Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Greenstein also added that many are reluctant to take blood pressure medications. "People don't like it because they don't experience any symptoms from hypertension, but they can get side effects from the tablets they are prescribed."
He also cautioned about the threat from hypertension. Necessary medications should be taken in order to prevent long-lasting issues, he added.