A study just released showed that women with a history of pre-eclampsia (hypertension, edema, and protein in the urine during pregnancy) have a marked (350%!!!) increased risk of dementia. The risk is primarily for vascular dementia, which is not strictly speaking Alzheiemer’s. However, a woman with vascular dementia looks a lot like a woman with Alzheimer’s disease: only imaging studies of her brain reveal the difference.

The treatment for vascular dementia overlaps with the treatment for Alzheimer’s, but it becomes even more important to identify changes early. Treatment for vascular dementia also improves one’s risk of getting any kind of cardiovascular disease late in life.

Northwest Memory Center encourages anyone at risk for dementia to be evaluated by a knowledgeable doc sometime in mid-life, not waiting for symptoms to start. Please consider making an appointment for a cognoscopy if you have a family history of dementia, known problems with blood sugar (Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes), and now we would add: if you have a personal history of pre-eclampsia.

Pregnant woman holding belly in nature.