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Relation of Blood Pressure to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Christiane Reitz1, Jose A Luchsinger

  • 1The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.

Current Hypertension Reviews
|May 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure in mid-life may harm cognitive function later in life, but late-life blood pressure effects are complex. Antihypertensive therapy shows limited protective evidence for dementia risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Numerous studies investigate the link between blood pressure and cognitive function/dementia.
  • Conflicting findings exist between cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current understanding of blood pressure's impact on cognitive decline and dementia.
  • To explore the nuances of blood pressure effects across different life stages.

Main Methods:

  • Review of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on blood pressure and cognition.
  • Analysis of evidence from observational studies and randomized clinical trials on antihypertensive therapy.

Main Results:

  • Mid-life hypertension is associated with increased late-life cognitive decline and dementia risk.
  • Late-life blood pressure effects are mixed: low diastolic and very high systolic pressures may elevate risk.
  • Evidence for antihypertensive therapy's protective role is limited.

Conclusions:

  • Blood pressure's relationship with dementia risk is complex and stage-dependent.
  • Physiological changes in aging may alter the impact of blood pressure on dementia risk.

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