Midlife vascular risk factors and midlife cognitive status in relation to prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in later life: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

•Cardiovascular risk factors and cognition were assessed in midlife in ARIC cohort.•Mild cognitive impairment and dementia were assessed in later life 20-24 years later.•Midlife diabetes and hypertension were associated with later life MCI and DEM.•Low midlife cognition associated with greater likelihood of later life MCI and DEM.•Midlife cognition and vascular risk factors independently predict later MCI or DEM.