In a new study, researchers found high blood pressure appears to accelerate cognitive decline among middle-aged and older adults, but treating high blood pressure may slow this down.
The research was conducted by a team from Columbia University.
According to the American Heart Association’s 2017 Hypertension Guidelines, high blood pressure affects approximately 80 million U.S. adults and one billion people globally.
Moreover, the relationship between brain health and high blood pressure is a growing interest as researchers examine how elevated blood pressure affects the brain’s blood vessels, which in turn, may impact memory, language, and thinking skills.
In this study, the researchers analyzed data collected on nearly 11,000 adults from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) between 2011-2015.
They aimed to assess how high blood pressure and its treatment may influence cognitive decline.
High blood pressure was defined as having a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher, and/or taking antihypertensive treatment.
According to guidelines of the AHA, high blood pressure is defined as 130 mmHg or higher or a diastolic reading of 80 mmH or higher.
For the study in China, researchers interviewed study participants at home about their high blood pressure treatment, education level and noted if they lived in a rural or urban environment.
They were also asked to perform cognitive tests, such as immediately recalling words as part of a memory quiz.
The team found people ages 55 and older who had high blood pressure showed a more rapid rate of cognitive decline compared with participants who were being treated for high blood pressure and those who did not have high blood pressure.
The rate of cognitive decline was similar between those taking high blood pressure treatment and those who did not have high blood pressure.
The findings are important because high blood pressure and cognitive decline are two of the most common conditions associated with aging, and more people are living longer, worldwide.
The researchers think efforts should be made to expand high blood pressure screenings, especially for at-risk populations, because so many people are not aware that they have high blood pressure that should be treated.
This study focused on middle-aged and older adults in China, but they believe the results could apply to populations elsewhere as well.
The lead author of the study is L.H. Lumey, professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School.
The study was presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension 2019 Scientific Sessions.
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