Alzheimer's disease is a serious matter that has got a grasp on a large population of Australia. In fact, from 267,000 Australians diagnosed with dementia today, the number can increase to 385,000 people by 2020 - up by almost 50% in just 8 years.

That is why Ita Buttrose, national president of Alzheimer's Australia, heralded the Australian-developed, world's first app that can be used to fight the disease and other forms of dementia.

BrainyApp is the world's first dementia risk reduction app that is designed to help people monitor and improve their brain-heart health. The new tool is based on the latest scientific research that links brain health and a reduced risk of dementia to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.

The app, moving on the premise that what's good for the heart is also good for the brain, allows users to take a brain-heart health survey about their diet, exercise patterns and lifestyle, and then provides them with suggestions and ideas on how to improve their choices.

Research has proven that certain lifestyle and health behaviors particularly around midlife are linked with reduced risk of developing dementia later in life. Changes in the brain that lead to dementia can start when people are in their 30s and 40s. That is why having a healthy lifestyle makes a difference.

What most people don't know is that following a lifestyle that reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke is also the same lifestyle that reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia, Buttrose noted.

Aside from lifestyle, proper management of cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also important for brain health, Alzheimer's Australia president added.

BrainyApp is now available as a free download for users of iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices from the App Store.

Aside from helping reduce Alzheimer's and dementia, BrainyApp also includes all-new brain games, as well as encourages users to build brain-heart points by staying physically and mentally active, socializing with friends and family, and sharing their progress on Facebook.