18/02/2026
Everyone has a chance of developing dementia, but simple lifestyle changes could help protect your brain and reduce your risk.
Dr Harry Pritchard, Alzheimer’s Society Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, has dedicated his career to studying the link between cardiovascular health and dementia.
In a recent report, he highlights five key lifestyle steps everyone can take to protect their brain:
1. Keep blood pressure under control - High blood pressure strains your arteries, including those in the brain, increasing the risk of long-term damage.
2. Maintain a healthy weight - Obesity raises the chance of diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic inflammation, all linked to dementia.
3. Manage blood sugar levels - Poorly controlled diabetes can damage brain blood vessels, allowing toxins to harm nerve cells.
4. Quit smoking - Smoking damages blood vessels and reduces oxygen to the brain, but stopping can reduce risk to near non-smoker levels.
5. Stay physically active - Regular exercise improves heart and blood vessel health, helping deliver blood to the brain and lowering dementia risk by up to 20%.
Dr Pritchard is also a proud member of our Dementia Run Club, part of our AJ Bell and Great Runs partnership, using running to raise awareness and support brain health.
Great North Run
Great Manchester Run
Great South Run
Great Birmingham Run
Great Scottish Run
Great Bristol 10k & Half Marathon
