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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
07:30
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Cognitive evolution in hypertensive patients: a six-year follow-up
Augusto Vicario1, Mildren A del Sueldo, Judith M Zilberman
1Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Hospital Español de Buenos Aires, Argentina. augusto.vicario@gmail.com
Vascular Health and Risk Management
|May 24, 2011
Summary
Hypertension negatively impacts cognitive function, particularly executive function, in older adults. Memory remains stable, but executive decline progresses despite blood pressure control.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Hypertension is linked to vascular damage and cognitive impairment, affecting memory and executive functions.
- Understanding cognitive changes in hypertensive patients is crucial for managing age-related neurological decline.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track cognitive changes in hypertensive patients over six years.
- To identify specific cognitive domains affected by hypertension.
- To correlate cognitive performance with blood pressure measurements.
Main Methods:
- A 6-year observational cohort study of 60 hypertensive patients aged 65-80.
- Exclusion of participants with stroke, diabetes, dementia, or depression.
- Neurocognitive evaluations of memory and executive function at baseline and every two years.
Main Results:
- Executive function progressively declined over the 6-year follow-up.
- No significant changes were observed in memory or Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.
- The decline in executive function was independent of blood pressure control.
Conclusions:
- Hypertensive patients experienced a doubling in dementia incidence compared to the general population.
- Cognitive impairment predominantly affected executive functions, linked to prefrontal cortex activity.
- Anti-hypertensive treatment and blood pressure levels did not prevent executive function deterioration.
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