Why It’s so Important to Get Your Blood Pressure under Control

Written by Mohan Garikiparithi
Published on

BP and dementiaA new study has uncovered that controlling high blood pressure may help stall dementia. The study was a large randomized trial, and it found that patients who underwent intensive treatment for high blood pressure were 19 percent less likely to experience early cognitive deficiencies compared to those who underwent traditional blood pressure treatment. Early cognitive deficiencies are often an early sign of dementia.

The researchers suggest that treating hypertension in patients could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Over 65 percent of seniors in the US have hypertension, which suggests that high blood pressure and dementia may have a link. Improving vascular health can go a long way in improving cognitive function.

High Blood Pressure Linked with Higher Risk of Dementia: Previous Study

A previous study which we reported on set out to answer the question of whether there was a difference between systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in terms of the associated increase in the risk of dementia later in life.

Systolic blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart is beating. Diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is resting. The current study also measured the effects of age on these blood pressure measurements over a follow-up period of 30 years.

The study consisted of 6,895 men and 3,413 women, aged 35–55 at the outset of the study. The participants’ blood pressure measurements were taken in a sitting position, after five minutes of resting. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured twice at each follow-up. The status of patients’ dementia was analyzed by using the data from three national health databases.

The results of the study reaffirmed the hypothesis that hypertension in middle age was related to the development of dementia later in life, but that hypertension later in life was unrelated to the development of dementia. The risk of dementia increased with prolonged hypertension in middle age, but it did not seem to affect the age at which patients were diagnosed with dementia.

We all know the importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure levels when it comes to protecting our heart health. These two studies show the added benefit that lower blood pressure can have on our brain health.

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On any matter relating to your health or well-being, please check with an appropriate health professional. No statement herein is to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventative, or cure for any disease, disorder or abnormal physical state. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Foods and Drugs Administration or Health Canada. Dr. Marchione and the doctors on the Bel Marra Health Editorial Team are compensated by Bel Marra Health for their work in creating content, consulting along with formulating and endorsing products.

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