Neurologist says 'cut cholesterol, blood pressure and dementia risk in 20 mins'

Neurologist says 'cut cholesterol, blood pressure and dementia risk in 20 mins'Professor Jonathan Schott reveals how just 20 minutes can support brain health and lower your risk of dementia, and moreCommentsNewsCharlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor and Neil Shaw14:19, 12 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesNeurologist says you can cut cholesterol, blood pressure and dementia risk in 20 minutes (stock image)(Image: Getty)A professor of neurology says there are measures we can adopt to promote brain health, reduce the risk of dementia, and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Jonathan Schott, professor of neurology at UCL and chief medical officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, has identified six straightforward ways to give your brain a boost this summer.‌About 50% to 60% of adults in the UK have high cholesterol. High cholesterol is often called a "silent killer" as it rarely presents any symptoms. It is a big risk for heart disease and strokes, leading to around 66,000 deaths each year in the UK.‌In the UK, it's also estimated that over 14 million adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This means that more than one in four adults is affected. A large number of these people, around five million, don't even know they have it and are at risk. They usually find out about their condition only after experiencing a heart attack or stroke.‌View 3 ImagesThe expert recommends going on regular walks(Image: Anna Mardo via Getty Images)1. Learn a new skill (that you enjoy)"Keep your brain active by doing the things that you enjoy doing," advises Schott. "I've previously said, 'If you hate Sudoku, don't do Sudoku' as you're not going to stick with it."It's more about discovering whatever keeps you engaged and stimulated, he stresses, reports Surrey Live. "For some people, that's reading a book, for others it will be playing chess or learning a new skill like crochet,&quo...