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Who Is at High Risk of Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is condition that is defined as a type of dementia. People with Alzheimer's have difficulty with social interaction and intellectual tasks. Not only do mental capabilities decline as the disease progresses, but there is memory loss as well. There are many people at risk for this disease.

  1. Risk Factors

    • Alzheimer's disease is not considered a normal part of aging, according to the Mayo Clinic, but people older than 65 are at risk. Fewer than 5 percent of people 65 to 74 have Alzheimer's, but 50 percent of people older than 85 develop it. Alzheimer's disease also is hereditary. Women are particularly at risk because they live longer than men.

    Causes

    • The causes of Alzheimer's are not well understood. However, people who suffer the disease commonly have plaques and tangles of tau protein threads within the brain cells.
      Lifestyle factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and uncontrolled diabetes play a large part.

    Theories/Speculation

    • Studies show a link between lower education levels and Alzheimer's, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cognitive impairments-or memory problems worse than expected for a person's age-also contribute to the onset of this condition.

    Significance

    • Statistics from the Alzheimer's Association show that more than 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease.

    Prevention/Solution

    • While there is no sure way to prevent Alzheimer's, the Mayo Clinic states that taking steps to reduce the chance for heart disease also decreases the chance of dementia disorders.

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