Even slightly elevated blood pressure significantly increases the risk of dementia

How does elevated blood pressure affect the risk of dementia??

Even mildly elevated blood pressure in middle age can increase the risk of developing dementia by up to 45 percent. Healthy blood pressure is therefore important to significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Researchers at the French National Institutes of Health and Medical Research (Paris Insr.) And University College London found in their current research that elevated mid-age blood pressure can dramatically increase the risk of developing dementia. The researchers published the results of their study in the English-language journal "European Heart Journal".

Should be made changes in the treatment of hypertension?

Examining the data of just under 9,000 subjects, it was found that 50-year-olds with blood pressures greater than 130/80 mmHg had much greater risk of developing dementia later in life. In the UK alone, there are currently about seven million Britons whose blood pressure exceeds 140/90 mmHg, the authors of the study explain. Doctors usually advise those affected to take medication. The threshold for taking medication should eventually be reduced to the level of 130/80 mmHg, some experts say. If such a change is made, nearly half of the adult population in the United Kingdom would be entitled to take these medicines, the researchers explain.

The risk of dementia was increased by 45 percent at the age of 50

Individuals with a so-called systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or more had a 45 percent higher risk of developing dementia by the age of 50 compared with people with lower blood pressure levels at the same age, the researchers explain. The observed increased risk is probably due to the time that people already suffered from hypertension. Increased levels of blood pressure at the age of 50 result in people being exposed to increased risks of dementia for longer than people who develop hypertension at the age of 60 or 70 years.

What can trigger high blood pressure?

High blood pressure has been implicated in mini-strokes, white matter damage in the brain, and limited blood supply to the brain, leading to mental deterioration, the researchers say.

Subjects were medically monitored for 32 years

For their study, the physicians analyzed the data of participants in the so-called Whitehall II study, which were in 1985 between the ages of 35 and 55 years old. The subjects were medically monitored for a period of 32 years.

Midlife hypertension has harmful effects

The current research confirms the harmful effects of so-called midlife hypertension on the risk of dementia, explains study author Professor Archana Singh-Manoux from INSERM. The findings suggest that at age 50, the risk of dementia in individuals may be compounded if the individuals have elevated systolic blood pressure, which is still below the threshold commonly used to treat hypertension, adds the expert.

What is the risk in older people with high blood pressure?

The current analysis suggests that the importance of middle-aged hypertension for brain health is related to the duration of exposure. The increased risk was found in people who had high blood pressure by the age of 50, but not in hypertensive people aged 60 or 70 years. This is because people with high blood pressure at the age of 50 are likely to be more exposed to the increased risk.

If you have problems with your blood pressure, consult a doctor

There is considerable discussion on the optimal threshold for the diagnosis of hypertension, study author Dr. Jessica Abell from University College London. There is much evidence that maintaining healthy middle-aged blood pressure is important for the heart and brain later in life. If you start thinking about your blood pressure now, you should contact your family doctor. (As)