Alzheimer’s: Are You At Risk? (4pg)

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The causes of the disease are complex. Here are four of the most significant contributing factors.

• Age: The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s is growing older. At age 65, only one in nine people have some form of Alzheimer’s. By age 85, one in three people have the disease.
• Family History: If you have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s, you are more likely to have the disease. The risk increases with the number of family members.
• Genes: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, less than one percent of early-onset dementia is caused by genetic mutation.
• Heart Disease: Growing evidence suggests that the health of the brain is closely linked to the overall health of your heart and blood vessels. In fact, some studies indicate that 80 percent of people with some form of dementia also have some form of heart disease such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association