Greater Blood Pressure Variability Is Associated With Lower Cognitive Performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Health
• Gerontology

Background:

• Increased life expectancy leads to more age-related cognitive decline.
• Identifying modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment is crucial.
• Blood pressure variability (BPV) is a potential risk factor due to its link with cerebral ischemia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cross-sectional association between systolic and diastolic BPV and cognitive functions.
• To assess memory, information processing speed, and executive function in relation to BPV.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 1804 participants aged 40-75 in The Maastricht Study.
• Calculated a composite BPV-index from within-visit, 24-hour, and 7-day BPV.
• Employed linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, education, mean blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Main Results:

• Greater diastolic BPV was associated with lower information processing speed and executive function.
• Greater systolic BPV showed a marginal association with lower memory function.
• The cognitive effects of BPV were equivalent to approximately 3 years of aging.

Conclusions:

• Elevated very short-term to mid-term diastolic and systolic BPV may be modifiable risk factors for cognitive deterioration.
• These findings are relevant for community-dwelling individuals aged 40-75.
• Diastolic BPV appears to have a more pronounced association with cognitive decline than systolic BPV.