A groundbreaking study by the University of South Australia (UniSA) has uncovered a crucial link between fluctuating blood pressure and the risk of dementia in older adults.
The research, led by PhD candidate Daria Gutteridge, highlights how variations in blood pressure, not just high blood pressure, can impact brain health and vascular function.
Key Findings of the Study
The study emphasizes that not just high blood pressure, but its variability over short and long periods, is associated with cognitive decline.
Higher fluctuations in systolic blood pressure (the top number in BP readings) are linked to artery stiffness, increasing heart disease risks.
Participants with greater blood pressure variability showed diminished cognitive performance.
Methodology and Results
Participants: 70 healthy older adults, aged 60-80, without dementia or cognitive impairment, participated in the study.
Tests Conducted: Participants underwent blood pressure monitoring, cognitive assessments, and evaluations of arterial stiffness using advanced techniques.
Outcome: The study found that day-to-day and moment-to-moment blood pressure variations were associated with reduced cognitive function and increased arterial stiffness.
Implications for Health Care
Blood pressure variability could serve as an early indicator or target for treating cognitive impairment.
The research suggests a need to look beyond just hypertension in clinical treatments and consider blood pressure variability as a significant factor in cognitive health.
Understanding blood pressure patterns could aid in developing strategies to prevent dementia and related vascular issues.
Future Directions
This study opens a new avenue in understanding and managing dementia risks. By focusing on blood pressure fluctuations, health professionals could identify early warning signs of cognitive decline and implement interventions to mitigate risks.
The findings call for a broader perspective on blood pressure management, especially in the context of aging populations and rising dementia rates.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about Research shows the ideal blood pressure for older people and findings of Common high blood pressure drugs may cause memory problems.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about Prebiotic fiber could manage high blood pressure and results showing that Dietary fiber: A new approach to lowering high blood pressure.
The research findings can be found in Cerebral Circulation – Cognition and Behavior.
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