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High Blood Pressure Linked
To Memory Problems
High
blood pressure is linked to memory problems in people
over 45,
according to research published in the August 25, 2009,
print issue of
Neurology®, the medical journal of the American
Academy of Neurology.
The
study found that people with high diastolic blood pressure, which
is
the bottom number of a blood pressure reading, were more likely to
have
cognitive impairment, or problems with their memory and thinking
skills, than people with normal diastolic readings.
For every
10 point increase in the reading, the odds of a person having
cognitive
problems was seven percent higher. The results were valid after
adjusting for other factors that could affect cognitive abilities, such
as age,
smoking status, exercise level, education, diabetes or high
cholesterol.
The study involved nearly 20,000 people age 45 and
older across the
country who participated in the Reasons for Geographic
And Racial
Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study and had never had a
stroke or
mini-stroke. A total of 1,505 of the participants, or 7.6
percent, had cognitive
problems, and 9,844, or 49.6 percent, were
taking medication for high blood
pressure. High blood pressure is
defined as a reading equal to or higher
than 140/90 or taking
medication for high blood pressure.
"It's possible that by
preventing or treating high blood pressure, we could
potentially
prevent cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to
dementia,"
explained a research team from the University of Alabama
at Birmingham,
including members of the American Academy of Neurology.
Research
has shown that high diastolic blood pressure leads to weakening
of
small arteries in the brain, which can result in the development of
small
areas of brain damage.
They explained more research is needed to confirm the relationship
between high blood pressure and cognitive impairment.
The
study was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke (NINDS). The REGARDS study is one of the largest
population-
based studies of risk factors for stroke. These latest data
suggest that higher
blood pressure may be a risk factor for cognitive
decline, but further studies
will be necessary to understand the
cause-effect relationship,
The deputy director of the American
Academy of Neurology noted "The
National Institutes of Health is now
organizing a large clinical trial to evaluate
whether aggressive blood
pressure lowering can decrease a number of
important health outcomes
including cognitive decline."
Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Neurology.
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