According to Dementia UK, it is estimated that by next year over a million people in the UK will have a diagnosis of dementia, and almost every single one of us will know someone who is affected. The most common symptoms of dementia include confusion, memory loss, and difficulty understanding, and symptoms are progressive, getting worse over time.
A recent study undertaken by 27 international experts in dementia found that high cholesterol increases the risk of dementia by 30%, and is responsible for 7% of all cases of dementia. This is alarming news, since the British Heart Foundation estimates that 43% of people in England have cholesterol levels above UK guidelines. As a modifiable risk factor, in other words, one that we have the power to change, it is more important than ever to pay attention to cholesterol levels and make sure that they are treated to target, not only to lower the risk of dementia, but also of heart disease and stroke.
The British Heart Foundation has an excellent page on high cholesterol, including how to find out whether or not you have it, and what you can do about it if you do – click here for more information.