Blood Flow Risk Factors

History of Stroke (5)

History of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, heart arrhythmias (2)

Pre-hypertension or hypertension in midlife (2)

Limited exercise, less than twice a week (2)

Retirement/Aging

Age: 65 to 84 (2)

Age: 85 and older (38)

Watching too much television (more than two hours a day) (2)

In a job that does not require new learning or retired without new learning endeavors (2)

Loneliness or social isolation (2)

Inflammation

Periodontal (gum) disease (2)

Presence of inflammation in the body, such as high homocysteine or C-reactive protein (2)

Low omega-3 fatty acids (2)

Genetics and Family History

One family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia (3.5)

More than one family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia (7.5)

One apolipoprotein E4 gene (2.5)

Two E4 genes (10)

Head Trauma

A single head injury with loss of consciousness (2)

Several head injuries without a loss of consciousness (2)

Loss of one’s sense of smell (2)

Toxic

Smoking cigarettes for 10 years or longer (currently or in past) (2.3)

Alcohol dependence or drug dependence (currently or in past) (4.4)

History of radiation for head and neck cancers (3)

Chemotherapy for breast cancer (1.5)

Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (1.25)

Chronic exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic or aluminum (1.5)

Chronic mold exposure (1.5)

Kidney dysfunction (2)

Mental Health Issues

PTSD (4)

bipolar disorder (2)

schizophrenia (2)

depression (3.5)

chronic stress (2)

Immunity/Infection Issues

multiple sclerosis (1.5)

rheumatoid arthritis (3)

systemic lupus erythematosus (2)

Crohn’s disease (1.5)

severe psoriasis (3)

Adult asthma (1.3)

Chronic Lyme disease or other infectious diseases not fully treated (2)

Neurohormone Deficiencies

Low in thyroid (2)

estrogen (females only) (2)

Testosterone (2)

Hysterectomy without estrogen replacement (2)

History of prostate cancer with testosterone-lowering treatment (2)

Diabesity

Pre-diabetes or diabetes (3)

Fasting blood sugar over 100mg/dl (2)

Being overweight or obese in middle age (3)

Sleep Issues

Chronic insomnia (2.3)

Sleep apnea (2)