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Low ambulatory blood pressure is associated with lower cognitive function in healthy elderly men

Johan Axelsson1, Faina Reinprecht, Arkadiusz Siennicki-Lantz

  • 1Department of Health Sciences, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.

Blood Pressure Monitoring
|September 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Low blood pressure in elderly men is linked to poorer cognitive function. Specifically, low ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, especially at night, were associated with lower cognitive test scores.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Low blood pressure (BP) is a known risk factor for cerebrovascular damage in older adults.
  • Limited research exists on the relationship between ambulatory BP and cognitive function in individuals aged 80 and above.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between ambulatory blood pressure and cognitive function in very elderly men.
  • To determine if low blood pressure levels correlate with impaired cognitive performance in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • Ninety-seven 81-year-old men were monitored for ambulatory BP and underwent cognitive testing.
  • Low ambulatory systolic BP was defined as <130 mmHg and diastolic BP as <80 mmHg.
  • Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios for lower cognitive function, controlling for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Subjects with ambulatory systolic BP <130 mmHg showed increased odds of lower cognitive function across daytime, nighttime, and 24-hour periods.
  • Lower cognitive function was significantly associated with lower nighttime systolic and diastolic BP, and lower 24-hour mean systolic BP.
  • A trend towards higher odds of cognitive impairment was observed in subjects on anti-hypertensive drugs with low nocturnal systolic BP.

Conclusions:

  • Ambulatory systolic BP levels below 130 mmHg and lower nighttime BP are associated with reduced cognitive function in healthy elderly men.
  • Further research is warranted to evaluate the impact of current treatment guidelines (e.g., <140 mmHg office SBP) on cognitive health in individuals over 80.
Abstract

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