This is the 56th part of our series exploring dementia. We look into its causes, treatments, support for caregivers, and share inspiring stories.
Imagine unwinding all the blood vessels in your body; they’d stretch over 96,560 kilometers (about 60,000 miles)! Out of those, around 644 kilometers are found in your head.
These blood vessels play a crucial role. They deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain while also helping to remove toxins and waste. If these vessels get blocked or leak, it can seriously affect brain function.
Obstructions like blood clots or plaque buildup can narrow these vessels, often caused by high cholesterol. In fact, the medical journal The Lancet has identified high levels of LDL cholesterol—known as the “bad” kind—as a risk factor for dementia that we can manage.
Research has shown that having high LDL cholesterol during midlife can increase the risk of developing dementia over a decade later, especially for people under 65.
The health of these blood vessels also affects the blood-brain barrier. This barrier is essential as it protects the brain from infections that might arise in the body.
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dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular health, LDL cholesterol, blood-vessel health, blood-brain barrier, amyloid build-up, Daniel Nation, USC Leonard Davis School, vascular dementia, tau tangles, high blood pressure, sugar levels, cognitive decline, Karolinska Institute, Lund University
