Millions more people could be offered dementia tests under new NHS guidelines that class those aged over 60 who drink, smoke or who are obese as being at risk of the disease.
GPs have protested against the guidance, which says they should consider assessing people for dementia if they are more likely to develop heart disease.
This would include over-60s, “for instance because of smoking, alcohol consumption or obesity”. Doctors said the plans could lead to patients being wrongly labelled as having dementia by inaccurate tests, and waste GPs’ time.
Last month The Times reported that so-called “memory” clinics were being overrun by middle-aged “worried well” who fear that they have dementia because of minor lapses such as forgetting where they put their car keys.