content provided by Healthwise
What Increases Your Risk
The main factor that raises your risk for Alzheimer's disease is getting older. About 6 out of 100 people over 65 years and 35 out of 100 people over 85 years have some form of dementia. 1 People rarely have dementia before age 60. Other factors that increase your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease include:
- A family history of Alzheimer's disease, especially if one or more of your parents or siblings has the disease.
- The presence of the apolipoprotein E-4 gene, which increases the chances you will develop Alzheimer's disease.
- Having Down syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that results in mental retardation.
- Having diabetes, which is a condition that causes high blood sugar.
- Taking hormone replacement therapy. Research indicates if you are a woman aged 65 or older, your risk for developing dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) increases if you take estrogen plus progestin therapy. 3
Print This
| Last updated: | November 15, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
© 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.
