“We started with the question we received most often from patients and their families, ‘What can I do to take good care of my brain so that I don’t come down with a stroke or memory loss like my mother or father?’” said Rosand, who is also a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.

He explained that the BCS takes science and converts it to information that can be used to assess someone’s risk of stroke or dementia in the future.

Each five-point improvement in the BCS was associated with a 59% lower risk of developing dementia and a 48% lower risk of experiencing a stroke among adults younger than 50 years old when they enrolled in the study.

“The components of the BCS include recommendations found in the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential Eight for cardiovascular health, as well many modifiable risk factors for common cancers,” Rosand said. “What’s good for the brain is good for the heart and the rest of the body.”

Understanding Risk Allows You to Take Action Sooner

Because dementia and stroke affect people of all backgrounds and all genders around the world, Rosand says everyone can benefit from using the BCS.

Plus, improving on the element mentioned in the test will also provide overall health benefits.

Understanding and addressing these factors early on could make a huge difference in future well-being.

Improving Your BCS Score Is Possible

Just because you take the BCS doesn’t mean your score is locked in forever. Each health factor the test assesses can be changed.

“For example, if you lower your blood pressure, you can add three points. If you quit smoking, you can also add three points,” said Rosand. “The closer you get to the highest possible score of 21, the better care you’re taking of your brain.”

"The study doesn't give specific tips, but it suggests that lifestyle habits like these help decrease the odds of dementia or stroke," he said.

Besides nutritious eating, regular exercise, and meaningful socializing, DuBose explained that there are other ways to lower your risk of dementia and stroke, too.

Price also encourages people in midlife to make sure they are stimulating their brains, too.

“The worst thing our brains can do is retire,” she said.

People in Midlife May Benefit the Most From the BCS

According to Rosand, the BCS is a tangible way for people to take charge of their brain health.

While this is true for everyone, people who are in midlife may experience the biggest benefit of the BCS.

“For prevention of stroke or dementia, it appears screening with BCS may be beneficial for people 40 to 50 years old,” said DuBose.

Researchers found that those in their 50s who used the BCS during the study to raise their score had a 32% lower risk of dementia and a 52% lower chance of stroke. Meanwhile, participants older than 59 had an 8% lower risk of dementia and a 33% lower risk of stroke.

For this reason, midlife is the key window of opportunity to make sure you are doing what you can to mitigate your risk—especially if you had a family member who suffered from Alzheimer’s or dementia.

“It is never too soon or too late to gain an understanding of your current health and dementia risk, though,” said Price. “However, the most benefit would be had for those 40 [and older].”