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Arterial Stiffness, Cognitive Dysfunction and Adherence to Antihypertensive Agents. Is there a Link to Hypertensive

Rigas G Kalaitzidis1, Thalia Panagiotopoulou2, Dimitrios Stagikas2

  • 1Hypertension Excellence Centre, Division of Nephrology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.

Current Vascular Pharmacology
|April 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Improving blood pressure control in hypertension involves addressing patient adherence. Stable antihypertensive drug combinations enhance adherence, which is crucial for managing arterial stiffness and cognitive function.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension (HTN) and its cardiovascular (CV) complications are globally increasing, with unsatisfactory blood pressure (BP) control rates.
  • Medical inertia and poor treatment adherence significantly contribute to low BP control rates.
  • Arterial stiffness, induced by HTN, elevates CV and stroke risk and is linked to cognitive dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the interrelationships between arterial stiffness, cognitive function, and medication adherence in patients with hypertension.
  • To explore how arterial stiffness impacts cognitive function and, consequently, treatment adherence.
  • To highlight the benefits of addressing arterial stiffness for cognitive health and adherence.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies examining hypertension, arterial stiffness, cognitive function, and medication adherence.
  • Analysis of the mechanisms linking HTN, arterial stiffness, and cognitive impairment.
  • Evaluation of the impact of adherence on BP control and arterial stiffness.

Main Results:

  • Hypertension can induce arterial stiffness, which is associated with increased CV and stroke risk.
  • HTN-induced arterial stiffness can lead to brain microcirculation disorders and cognitive dysfunction, particularly memory deficits.
  • Cognitive dysfunction negatively impacts adherence to antihypertensive drug treatment.
  • Compliance with antihypertensive therapy improves BP control and arterial stiffness indices.

Conclusions:

  • Stable combinations of antihypertensive drugs improve patient adherence compared to complex regimens.
  • Early intervention for arterial stiffness is recommended to enhance cognitive function and improve medication adherence.
  • Addressing arterial stiffness is a key strategy for improving overall management of hypertension and its complications.

Keywords:
Hypertensionadherence to medicationarterial pressurearterial stiffnesscardiovascular diseasecognitive dysfunction.

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