New Study Links High Cholesterol Levels To Increased Risk Of Alzheimer’s And Vascular Dementia

A new study released by Kaiser Permanente suggests that high cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for developing dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease later in life.

The results of the study were published in the journal Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. The research study tracked 9,844 men and women for four decades, starting when the participants were between 40 and 45 years of age.

After controlling for weight, hypertension and diabetes, the researchers discovered a significant link between borderline-high and dementia.

The participants in the study, who had high cholesterol, or a value of 240mg/dl or more, had a 66 percent greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease later in life. People with borderline-high cholesterol, between 200 and 239, ahd a 25 percent spike in risk.

 According to the American Heart Association, more than 106 million Americans reportedly have borderline-high cholesterol levels.

With the availability of the professional and home use CardioChek cholesterol testing device distributed by QuickMedical, there is now a way for the public to know their cholesterol level number. Findings such as this and others strongly reinforces the rationale for including cholesterol screenings as an intergral part of healthcare preventative maintenance; not only with regards to heart disease and diabetes, but now with the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

The study concluded that people as young as 40 with borderline or high cholesterol levels are at increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. Previous studies have linked heart and brain health, but this study is the first to examine the association between borderline cholesterol levels and dementia.