High blood pressure, especially in midlife, has been linked to memory loss and dementia later in life. Scientists believe that over time, high blood pressure damages the small blood vessels in the brain, making it harder for the brain to get enough oxygen and nutrients.
This can lead to changes in thinking, memory, and mood. But can treating high blood pressure with medication lower the risk of dementia? More and more research suggests the answer is yes.
Dementia is a general term for problems with thinking and memory that get worse over time. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type, but there are others too, such as vascular dementia, which is directly related to poor blood flow in the brain. Since high blood pressure affects blood flow, researchers have long wondered if controlling it could also help prevent dementia.
Several large studies have looked into this question. One of the most important is the SPRINT MIND study, which followed more than 9,000 older adults in the United States. Participants were randomly assigned to either get intensive blood pressure treatment (targeting a systolic pressure of less than 120) or standard treatment (targeting less than 140).
After about five years, the group with the more aggressive treatment had fewer cases of mild cognitive impairment, which is often a warning sign for dementia. Although the study didn’t show a strong reduction in full-blown dementia, it still suggested that lowering blood pressure might slow down the brain’s decline.
Other research backs this up. A 2020 review in the journal Lancet Neurology analyzed data from multiple studies and found that people who took blood pressure medication had a lower risk of developing dementia.
This benefit was seen in both men and women and in people with different types of blood pressure medications, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics.
Some studies even suggest that certain types of blood pressure drugs may offer extra protection. For example, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people taking ARBs (such as losartan or candesartan) had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than people using other types of blood pressure pills.
Researchers think this might be because ARBs help reduce inflammation and protect the brain’s blood vessels more effectively. However, this is still being studied, and no one drug is officially recommended over another just for dementia prevention.
It’s important to note that lowering blood pressure too much in very old adults may cause dizziness or falls, so treatment should be carefully tailored to each person. Still, the overall message from research is clear: keeping blood pressure in a healthy range, especially from middle age onward, is good not only for your heart but also for your brain.
In summary, while there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, taking blood pressure medication as prescribed may help reduce the risk. These medications protect the brain’s small blood vessels and may delay or slow memory decline.
If you have high blood pressure, managing it with medicine and healthy lifestyle choices — like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking — can help keep your brain sharp as you age. As always, talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about low choline intake linked to higher dementia risk, and how eating nuts can affect your cognitive ability.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
