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No impaired cognitive function in treated patients with mild-moderate hypertension compared to normotensive controls
P Nilsson1, G Gullberg, R Ekesbo
1Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Treated hypertensive patients showed no difference in cognitive function compared to normotensive controls. This suggests that lowering blood pressure through medication does not negatively impact cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Hypertension is a known risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia.
- The impact of hypertension treatment on cognitive function remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether pharmacological blood pressure reduction in treated hypertensive patients affects cognitive function.
- To compare cognitive function between treated hypertensive patients and normotensive controls.
Main Methods:
- A population-based study in primary health care involving 123 treated hypertensive patients and 76 normotensive controls.
- Assessment of blood pressure, metabolic variables, and cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Main Results:
- Treated hypertensive patients exhibited higher blood pressure than normotensive controls.
- No significant difference in cognitive function was observed between the two groups.
- Educational level and metabolic variables did not confound the cognitive function findings.
Conclusions:
- Treated hypertensive individuals did not demonstrate impaired cognitive function compared to normotensive controls.
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that pharmacological blood pressure reduction is a risk factor for cognitive decline.
Abstract:
Hypertension is a predictor for impaired cognitive function and dementia in several prospective studies. It is currently under debate whether treatment of hypertension, and thus blood pressure lowering, is another risk factor for cognitive decline. We recruited a sample of 123 treated hypertensive patients and 76 normotensive controls, from a population-based study in primary health care, for screening of blood pressure, metabolic variables and cognitive function, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Treated hypertensives had higher blood pressure but did not differ in cognitive function from the normotensives. Neither educational level nor metabolic variables confounded the findings. In conclusion, treated hypertensives did not differ in cognitive function from normotensive controls. This does not support the notion that pharmacological blood pressure reduction impairs cognitive function.