The study’s findings follow other medical analyses showing that higher cardiovascular risk can lead to overall reductions in brain health.

“Modifying cardiovascular risk may prevent Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Edison added.

“Our results suggest that this should be done a decade earlier in males than in females irrespective of whether they carry the risk genes (APOE ε4) for Alzheimer’s disease.”

The study’s results are based on looking at brain scans from 34,000 men and women from the ages of 45 to 82, which is the age range where dementia and heart risk are more likely to develop and affect a person.

To explain why men and women have different rates of developing dementia, Dr. Edison points to the difference in sex hormones.

“Men also have higher levels of hormones that cause inflammation and an increased chance of developing blood clots that may contribute to a higher chance of developing heart disease, as well as stroke,” Edison said.

“The influence of heart problems and being obese on brain cell degeneration is sustained and more apparent over twenty years in men than women. Modify your diet and lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing heart problems and obesity; this will reduce the likelihood of developing dementia.”