Risk of dementia as one grows older is very closely linked to chronic illnesses one suffers in the middle age.  According to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart diseases, depression and chronic lung diseases (including COPD) are risk factors for dementia later in life.  The observational study undertaken by London researchers examined over 10,000 British men and women looking at the impact of social, behavioral, and biological factors on long-term health. The team pointed out a need for further research in this domain to investigate the long-term relationship between multimorbidities at ages 55, 60, 65, and 70 and eventual dementia.