Alzheimer's disease risk factors
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Predicting Alzheimer's disease can be very difficult, but there are certain risk factors, such as family history and high blood pressure, that can make an individual more susceptible to developing Alzheimer's disease.
Risk Factors
One risk factor that is associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease is down syndrome. The other risk factors include genetic and physical susceptibilities.
- Age and family history are risk factors for AD.
- As you get older, your risk of developing AD goes up. However, developing Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of the aging process.
- Having a close blood relative, such as a brother, sister, or parent who developed AD increases your risk.
- Having certain combination of genes for proteins that appear to be abnormal in Alzheimer's disease also increases your risk.
- Other risk factors that are not as well validated include:
- Longstanding high blood pressure
- History of head trauma
- Female gender
- Heart disease
- It is believed that people who do not suffer from heart disease have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.