Visit-To-Visit Blood Pressure Variability and the Risk of Dementia in Older People

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Published on: June 19, 2019

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Tessa van Middelaar1,2, Jan W van Dalen1, Willem A van Gool1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|February 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

High blood pressure variability (VVV) in older adults is not linked to dementia risk but is associated with cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study highlights VVV as a factor in cognitive function and heart health.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neurology

Background:

  • High visit-to-visit variability (VVV) in blood pressure (BP) is a known risk factor for cerebrovascular lesions.
  • Understanding the impact of BP variability on cognitive health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is crucial for aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if VVV is associated with incident all-cause dementia in older adults.
  • To explore the relationship between VVV and cognitive decline, as well as incident CVD.

Main Methods:

  • The study analyzed data from 2,305 community-dwelling older adults (aged 70-78) from the preDIVA trial.
  • Blood pressure variability was calculated using the coefficient of variation (CV) from 2-yearly measurements over 6-8 years.
  • Cognitive function (MMSE) and incident CVD were assessed, with analyses adjusted for relevant risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Higher VVV was not associated with an increased risk of dementia (HR 1.00 per point CV increase).
  • The highest quartile of VVV correlated with a greater decline in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (β -0.09).
  • Elevated VVV was significantly associated with an increased risk of incident CVD (HR 1.07).

Conclusions:

  • In older individuals, high visit-to-visit blood pressure variability does not appear to increase the risk of all-cause dementia.
  • However, high VVV is linked to accelerated cognitive decline and a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
Blood pressureblood pressure variabilitycardiovascular diseasecognitiondementia

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