Best minds put their heart into tackling dementia

Researchers in heart disease, stroke and dementia came together today (Thursday 28) to discuss the links between the different conditions and how better health prevention messages could slow the alarming rise in the number of people with dementia in the UK.

The number of people with dementia in the UK is set to soar to over a million people in less than 20 years and there is still no cure. Emerging evidence has shown that leading a healthy lifestyle can help people to reduce their risk of dementia by up to 40 per cent.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society says,

'Over 100 000 people in the UK develop dementia each year. Evidence has shown that a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk. This Alzheimer's Awareness Week®, we are encouraging people to Be Headstrong and challenge their risk of dementia. We must start to tackle dementia head on, even delaying dementia by five years will halve the number of deaths in the UK.'

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at Alzheimer's Society, says,

'We are only beginning to see how much a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of dementia. Some studies show that obesity can double your risk while a Mediterranean diet can lower your risk by as much as 40 per cent. It's time to act now to slow the rising tide of dementia.'

This Alzheimer's Awareness Week®, the Alzheimer's Society is urging people to visit http://www.challengedementia.org.uk/ and download a free booklet on how they can reduce their risk of developing dementia. 

For further information, contact Hannah Clack, Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• Be Headstrong' challenges everyone to make simple changes to their life, the top lifestyle tips are:
  • Don't smoke
  • Eat less saturated fat
  • Exercise regularly
  • Lead an active social life
  • Ask your GP to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Delaying dementia by five years will halve the number of deaths from dementia in the UK - figures taken from Dementia UK 2007, Alzheimer's Society.
• Find out more about Alzheimer's Awareness Week® and the Be Headstrong campaign at http://www.challengedementia.org.uk/.
• Dementia costs the UK £17 billion per year, or £539 per second.
• 1 in 3 older people will end their lives with a form of dementia.
• 700,000 people in the UK are affected by dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Dementia affects one in five people over 80 and one in 20 people over 65.
• The Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. The Alzheimer's Society works in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
• As a charity, the Alzheimer's Society depends on the generosity of the public to help it care, research and campaign for people with dementia. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898.
• The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336.