A degree can stave off heart disease

GOING to university slashes the risk of heart disease, particularly among women, scientists claim.

Female graduates had a 28 per cent lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with almost 51 per cent who did not go on to higher education.

The difference was also apparent in men but not quite as dramatic. Those who went to university had a lifetime CDV risk of 42 per cent compared with 59 per cent for those who didn't.

Dr Yasuhiko Kubota, of Minnesota University in the US, said: “More than one in two individuals with less than high school education had a CVD event during his or her lifetime.

“Educational attainment was inversely associated with the lifetime risk of CVD, regardless of other key socio-economic characteristics. Our findings emphasise the need for further efforts to reduce CVD inequalities related to educational disparities.”

Dementia

Medical experts say better-educated people are more likely to choose healthier lifestyles. They are less likely to smoke, abuse alcohol and will exercise more, eat healthier foods and have more frequent health checks than the average population.

Previous research has suggested going to university staves off dementia, with mental stimulation helping to build up “cognitive reserves”.

Earlier this year a study by Exeter University of 2,315 mentally fit over-65s found those who went to university were more resilient to ageing, helping them remain sharp for longer and less vulnerable to illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease.

A 2010 study by the University of Cambridge found that for each additional year of education there was an 11 per cent decrease in the risk of developing dementia.