Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and there is no cure. This progressive decline in a person’s functions affects one in 10 Australians over the age of 65 and this number rises to three in 10 for Australians aged over 85. Alzheimer's Australia describes dementia as “a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders of the brain … that affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks”. This debilitating diagnosis not only affects the quality of life for the person with dementia but also puts an enormous emotional pressure on family members and carers with an estimated 1.2 million people involved in caring for a person with dementia in Australia. Increasing numbers of people suffering from dementia also puts a financial burden on the health care system, with the spending on dementia set to outstrip that of any other health condition by 2060. However, recent studies have shown that there may be some hope when it comes to the prevention of dementia. A statement issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) in October this year, supports the increasing evidence of the strong link between long-standing high blood pressure (hypertension) and declining cognition that leads to dementia. The AHA authors wrote that "the treatment of hypertension may prove to be one of the best ways to prevent or delay dementia". OPTIMAL BLOOD PRESSURE 120/80 BELOW Blood pressure, in basic terms, “is simply the pressure of blood on the blood vessel walls as it is pumped around your body” (National Heart Foundation, NHF). Optimal blood pressure is generally below 120/80 with the pre-hypertension range up to 139/89. Astoundingly, one third of all Australians over the age of 18 suffer from high blood pressure. Many research studies, including an NHF study, have shown that long-standing high blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in the brain that allow us to think and provide our memory. When it comes to dementia, age is the strongest risk factor, with the incidence increasing with each decade of life. Genetics also plays a role in both early and late onset dementia while lifestyle factors including social, mental and physical activity, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol intake have also shown links with cognitive decline and dementia in many observational studies. There is also some evidence that other factors such as head trauma, toxin exposure and depression may also increase the risk. Vascular conditions such as hypertension have been found to have strong links in many research studies to cognitive decline and are now also considered a risk factor for dementia. Of the many risk factors, the increasingly strengthened links of hypertension with dementia is quite alarming. However, this is one risk factor that can be controlled. DEMENTIA 3IN10 AFFECTS OVER 85 pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 27
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Nine
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