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Higher arterial stiffness is associated with lower cognitive performance in patients with hypertension

Henrique C S Muela1,2, Valeria A Costa-Hong1, Mônica S Yassuda3

  • 1Hypertension Unit, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.

Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.)
|November 7, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Elevated arterial stiffness is linked to poorer cognitive function in hypertensive patients. This study found that increased arterial stiffness measures correlate with cognitive impairments across various domains in individuals with hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness and cognitive impairment are known complications of arterial hypertension.
  • The direct association between arterial stiffness and specific cognitive domains in hypertensive individuals requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the correlation between arterial stiffness and cognitive function across different domains in patients with hypertension compared to normotensive individuals.
  • To identify specific markers of arterial stiffness associated with cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 211 participants (69 normotensive, 142 hypertensive), age-matched and categorized by hypertension stage.
  • Cognitive function assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery.
  • Arterial stiffness measured via pulse wave velocity, carotid ultrasound (intima-media thickness), and applanation tonometry (augmentation index, central arterial pressure).

Main Results:

  • The hypertension stage 2 group exhibited significantly higher arterial stiffness and poorer performance on both Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment tests.
  • Multivariable regression analysis revealed that augmentation index, intima-media thickness, and pulse wave velocity were significantly associated with reduced cognitive performance in multiple domains.
  • Higher arterial stiffness was consistently linked to cognitive impairment across various cognitive domains.

Conclusions:

  • Increased arterial stiffness is a significant correlate of cognitive impairment in patients with hypertension.
  • Specific arterial stiffness parameters, including augmentation index, intima-media thickness, and pulse wave velocity, are independently associated with poorer cognitive function.
  • These findings highlight the importance of assessing arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients to understand and potentially mitigate cognitive decline.

Keywords:
arterial stiffnesscognitive impairmenthypertensionpulse wave velocity

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