Three Reasons Why Screening for Alzheimer’s Risk is a Good Thing

While the thought of finding out if you’re at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s can feel incredibly scary, it’s actually the single most important thing you can do to help reduce your risk and protect your cognitive health. In case you need a little more convincing than that, here are our top three reasons why it’s important to screen genetically for your risk of Alzheimer’s:

Screening can help protect you and your family.

The single biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is the genetic mutation APOE4.

This means that if someone in your family has Alzheimer’s then they may have the APOE4 gene. It also means that you, your siblings, your children, and other family members may have a chance of inheriting it too. For example, if your mum or dad have the APOE4 gene, you will have a 50% chance of inheriting it and if they have two copies of APOE4, you will have 100% chance of inheriting it. By getting tested you can be more informed about the future of your family’s health and be in a better position to proactively do something about it.

Knowledge is power.

Research very clearly shows us that it is what you do 20 – 30 years before any symptoms appear that truly matters. By screening and being aware of your risk, you can adopt a coordinated lifestyle approach that will help you manage your risk and protect your cognitive health and memory for years to come.

Screening can give you access to help and support.

Managing Alzheimer’s risk is not something anyone should ever have to face alone. At iDNA Health we are committed to continuously supporting, guiding and informing those who test positive for APOE4, to ensure they have the best chance possible of decreasing their risk. Read about our Brain + Memory Package and our Stay Sharp Program.

iDNA Health recommends that anyone with a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia screen for APOE4.

Contact us today to get started on your Personalised Health Journey.