Dementia in the Family: What’s Your Risk?
If you have a family member with dementia, you might be wondering about your own chances of developing it. While having dementia in your family can increase your risk, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get it too.
For most people, the biggest risk factor for dementia is simply getting older. Your chances go up as you age, especially after 65. By the time you’re 85, you have about a one in three shot at developing dementia.
But what about those family ties? Well, it depends on the type of dementia and how closely related you are to the affected family member. If you have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease (the most common form of dementia), your risk is about two to four times higher than someone without that family history.
There are some rare genetic mutations that can cause early-onset Alzheimer’s (before age 65) and run strongly in families. But these account for less than 1% of all Alzheimer’s cases. If you have this type in your family, your risk is much higher, but it’s still not certain you’ll develop it.
For most people, genes play a role, but they’re not the whole story. One gene called APOE can increase your Alzheimer’s risk if you inherit a certain version (APOE-e4) from one or both parents. But even if you have this gene, it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get Alzheimer’s.
Other types of dementia, like vascular dementia, can run in families too. But often this is because families share similar lifestyles and health conditions that increase risk, like high blood pressure or diabetes.
The good news is that genes aren’t destiny when it comes to most cases of dementia. Your lifestyle choices can make a big difference. Staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, keeping your mind engaged, and managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can all help lower your risk – even if you have a family history.
If you’re really worried about your family history, talk to your doctor. They can help you understand your personal risk factors and suggest ways to keep your brain healthy as you age. Remember, while you can’t change your genes, there’s still a lot you can do to protect your brain health.
