Analysis of Cohorte Cantabria data highlights the impact of modifiable risk factors in dementia and stroke and underscores the potential of prevention
Neurological diseases are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. In an increasingly ageing society, disorders such as dementia and stroke affect a growing number of people, with significant personal, family, and socioeconomic consequences. However, scientific evidence indicates that up to 80% of strokes and around 40% of dementia cases could be prevented by controlling certain modifiable risk factors, challenging the widespread belief that cognitive decline is an inevitable consequence of ageing.
With this perspective, the project “Preventing dementia and stroke: analysis of modifiable risk factors in the population of Cantabria” is being carried out by the Neurodegenerative Diseases group at the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL). Researchers have used Cohorte Cantabria data to analyze the prevalence of modifiable risk factors associated with dementia and stroke in the population of our region.
The results show a significant presence of vascular risk factors: hypertension in 13.6% of participants, diabetes in 4.2%, and atrial fibrillation in 2%. In addition, 26.5% of participants were found to have obesity and 53.2% had elevated cholesterol levels. This figure includes both undiagnosed cases and situations of insufficient cholesterol control, suggesting possible problems of underdiagnosis and undertreatment.
Lifestyle habits also reveal room for improvement. More than half of the participants (52.4%) were considered physically inactive according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, which recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. Regarding diet, 55.2% showed low adherence to a low-fat diet and 37.9% to the Mediterranean diet. In addition, 31.5% reported being current smokers and 5.5% had excessive alcohol consumption.
The study also analyzed specific factors associated with dementia risk, such as low educational level and hearing loss. A total of 21.9% of participants had a low educational level, defined as eight years or less of formal schooling. However, it is important to note that several studies suggest that cognitive stimulation in adulthood may help compensate for part of this risk. Likewise, 5.1% of participants had hearing loss, another risk factor for dementia whose impact can be significantly reduced through the use of hearing aids.
This project is part of the European initiative JADE Health (Joint Action for Dementia), a joint action co-funded by the European Union involving 17 countries, aimed at improving the prevention, early detection, and care of cognitive and neurovascular disorders. The program began in January 2025 and will run for 36 months, developing activities both within healthcare systems and among the general population to improve health education and reduce the stigma associated with these conditions.
The results obtained from the analysis of Cohorte Cantabria data will be integrated into JADE Health activities to develop epidemiological models that will estimate the number of potentially preventable cases of dementia and stroke, both at the European level and in Cantabria. For the researchers, the data highlight that there is considerable room to improve the brain health of the population, reinforcing the importance of developing evidence-based prevention strategies adapted to the characteristics of the community.