HealthDay (5/29, Thompson) reports a study found that “heart disease, strokes and diabetes contribute to many dementia cases in the United States, but the risk is not equal everywhere.” Researchers observed that “more than a third (37%) of U.S. dementia cases are linked to eight conditions: diabetes, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.” Results show that “dementia cases were most strongly associated with stroke, with a 2.2-times higher risk, followed by heart failure (2.1 times increased risk) and high blood pressure (78% increased risk),” while the link between high cholesterol and dementia was the weakest, “with a 27% increased risk.” Researchers also noted that “people in the South were at greater risk for dementia caused in part by heart problems, stroke or diabetes.” The study was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. (SOURCE: APA Headlines)