Recent research conducted in China suggests that lowering high blood pressure may significantly reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. The study, led by Jiang He from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, involved 33,995 participants aged 40 and older with hypertension. Participants were divided into two groups: one received aggressive treatment with multiple anti-hypertensive medications, while the control group received standard treatment with fewer medications.
Over a follow-up period of 48 months, results indicated that those in the aggressive treatment group experienced a more substantial decrease in blood pressure, from an average of 157.0/87.9 mmHg to 127.6/72.6 mmHg. In contrast, the control group saw only a slight reduction, from 155.4/87.2 mmHg to 147.7/81.0 mmHg. Notably, the study reported that 15% fewer participants in the treatment group received a dementia diagnosis, and 16% fewer showed signs of cognitive impairment compared to the control group.
Experts in the field, including Zachary Marcum from the University of Washington, emphasize that these findings reinforce the idea that managing blood pressure is crucial for cognitive health. Raj Shah from Rush University notes the importance of addressing hypertension, but also highlights that dementia is influenced by various factors beyond blood pressure, such as lifestyle choices and social factors.
The researchers advocate for the widespread adoption of blood pressure reduction interventions as a means to combat the growing global burden of dementia. However, they and other experts caution that a comprehensive approach, considering multiple risk factors throughout life, is essential for effectively reducing dementia risk.