The findings, published in Neurology Open Access, add to growing evidence that brain health is closely connected to cardiovascular health. High blood pressure, diabetes and smoking can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including the small vessels that supply the brain. "High blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking can damage blood vessels, increase inflammation, and reduce the brain's resilience over time," Trinh said. The World Health Organization's updated guidance on dementia risk also emphasizes managing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes and avoiding smoking. The broader message from the research is that dementia risk is influenced by health across the life course.