By 2060, around one million Americans each year are expected to be diagnosed with dementia—roughly double today’s numbers, according to a new study . Researchers found that the lifetime risk of developing dementia is higher than once believed.
If a person lives long enough after age 55, there’s up to a 40% chance of developing the condition.
While these figures are concerning, there are ways to lower this risk. Managing high blood pressure and addressing other health issues that impact brain health can make a difference. Even those in their 40s and 50s can benefit from starting these habits now.
“What you do during midlife is really important,” said Dr. Josef Coresh of NYU Langone Health, coauthor of the study published in Nature Medicine.
Dementia Is More Than Alzheimer’s
Occasionally, forgetting names or misplacing items is normal as people age. However, dementia is not just a part of getting older. It’s a progressive decline in memory, language skills, and other mental abilities. Ageing is the biggest risk factor, and as the population grows older, dementia cases are increasing.
While Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, it’s not the only one. Vascular dementia, caused by heart disease or small strokes limiting blood flow to the brain, is another form. Many people experience symptoms linked to a combination of causes, like vascular issues and worsening Alzheimer ’s-related changes.
By understanding how risks evolve, researchers and public health experts can better recommend steps for prevention.
“It’s not guaranteed that someone will get dementia,” said Dr. James Galvin, an Alzheimer’s expert at the University of Miami who wasn’t involved in the study. Still, the findings reflect trends seen in other research.
Risk Increases with Age
Previous studies estimated that about 14% of men and 23% of women develop dementia at some point. Coresh’s team analyzed newer data from a large U.S. study that tracked the heart and brain health of roughly 15,000 older adults over several decades.
Their findings showed that the risk varies significantly depending on age.
Between 55 and 75, only around 4% of people develop dementia. This 20-year period is a key time for protecting brain health, according to Coresh.
The numbers start to climb for those who make it past 75 without serious health issues. By age 85, the risk rises to 20%; by 95, it’s 42%.
Overall, the lifetime risk of dementia after age 55 is 35% for men and 48% for women. Women’s longer lifespans are a major reason for the higher percentage. Black Americans face a slightly higher risk (44%) compared to white people (41%).
How to Lower Your Risk
While some factors are out of your hands—like age or inheriting the APOE4 gene, which increases Alzheimer’s risk—there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of developing dementia.
For example, Coresh wears a helmet while biking to avoid head injuries, which can raise dementia risk later in life.
“What’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” said Dr. Galvin. He recommends regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
High blood pressure, for instance, can restrict blood flow to the brain, which can lead to vascular dementia and may also contribute to Alzheimer’s. Similarly, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to inflammation and cognitive decline.
Staying socially and mentally active is important, too. Galvin advises addressing hearing loss with hearing aids to avoid social isolation, which can harm brain health.
“There are things we can control,” said Galvin. “Making these changes helps build a healthier brain as we age.”
