Researchers have known about the link between high blood pressure and dementia for years.
In a study from UNSW Sydney, scientists found the strongest evidence to date that lowering blood pressure in later life can cut the risk of dementia.
A global study of more than 28,000 people has provided
They say that in the absence of significant dementia treatment breakthroughs, reducing the risk of developing the disease would be a welcome step forward.
Dementia is fast becoming a global epidemic, currently affecting an estimated 50 million people worldwide. This is projected to triple by 2050—mainly driven by aging populations.
While many trials have looked at the health benefits of lowering blood pressure, not many included dementia outcomes and even fewer were placebo-controlled—considered to provide the best level of evidence.
In the study, researchers analyzed data that used different blood pressure lowering treatments and followed patients until the development of dementia.
A total of 28,008 individuals with an average age of 69 and a history of high blood pressure from 20 countries were included. Across these studies, the mid-range of follow up was just over four years.
The team found there was a strong effect of treatment in lowering the odds of dementia associated with a sustained reduction in blood pressure in this older population.
The study suggests that using readily available treatments to lower blood pressure is currently one of the ‘best bets’ to tackle this insidious disease.
The results imply a broadly linear link between blood pressure reduction and lower risk of dementia, regardless of which type of treatment was used.
Researchers hope the results will help in designing public health measures to slow the advance of dementia as well as informing treatment, where there may be hesitations around how far to lower blood pressure in older age.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that 3 grams of omega-3s a day keep high blood pressure at bay, and this common plant nutrient could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies that green tea could strongly reduce blood pressure, and results showing these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The study was conducted by Dr. Ruth Peters et al and published in European Heart Journal.
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