VASCULAR diseases (such as stroke) and risk factors (such as smoking and obesity) can play a powerful role in contributing to dementia, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
AIHW spokesperson Dr Lynelle Moon said the condition accounted for about 3.4% of the total burden of disease in Australia - about 30% of which was due to vascular disease and risk factors.
"While there is no known cure, there are a range of potentially preventable risk factors," she said, such as stroke, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, as well as smoking, physical inactivity, high blood pressure in mid-life and obesity in mid-life, all of which have been associated with increased risk, the new report said.
The report, Contribution of vascular diseases and risk factors to the burden of dementia in Australia: Australian Burden of Disease Study 2011, is available online at www.aihw.gov.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 08 Dec 16
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 08 Dec 16
