The NYU Langone Health researchers determined that avoiding midlife risk factors between the ages of 46 and 70 years could help delay the potential onset of dementia. Avoiding smoking, not having diabetes, and having normal blood pressure may help protect against dementia for an additional 13 years. andreswd/Getty ImagesAvoiding risk factors could add 13 more years without dementiaIn the new study, researchers analyzed data in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, a cohort study that began in 1987. They assessed three risk factors, which the ARIC study consistently measured:high blood pressure (hypertension)tuxedodiabetes. Individuals with no risk factors for dementia had the lowest risk of developing the condition.