There are a number of risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Some of these potential risks may be reduced by healthy living and the right medical support.
Age | Age is the biggest risk factor - the older you are, the more likely you are to develop dementia7 |
Genetics | There are three genes associated with inherited early onset Alzheimer's disease and - there are also genes associated with an increased risk of late onset Alzheimer's (i.e. post 65 years)8 |
Lifestyle | There is evidence that mental inactivity, physical inactivity, midlife obesity, alcohol intake and smoking can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease9 |
Medical conditions | Some treatable medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's, including stroke, diabetes, midlife hypertension, midlife hypercholesterolaemia and depression9 |
Head injury | There is accumulating evidence to suggest that traumatic brain injury can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's10 |
Read Facts & Figures about Alzheimer's Disease »