Most people know that high blood pressure increases the risk of other cardiovascular diseases. Less widely known is that high blood pressure can also lead to dementia. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of dementia.
High blood pressure (hypertension) also increases the risk of dementia. Lowering blood pressure increases protection against dementia and diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. The German Heart Foundation points this out in a press release.
Protecting the brain
Consistently high blood pressure not only puts a strain on the vessels of the cardiovascular system, but also on the brain vessels. Normal blood pressure definitely protects the brain from a stroke and attempts are therefore made to consistently reduce elevated values to below 140/90 mmHg – ideally to values between 120-130 mmHg (systolic).
The results of several studies now indicate a positive effect of lowering blood pressure on the risk of dementia.
“Chronic high blood pressure probably also leads to structural changes and a reduction in volume in the brain. The affected regions are partly responsible for cognitive performance,” explains cardiologist Prof. Dr. med. Michael Böhm, member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Heart Foundation and Director of the Department of Internal Medicine III at the Saarland University Hospital.
Scientific evidence
In an evaluation of five studies involving a total of over 28,000 people, Australian researchers have determined from the data of patients with and without dementia that simply lowering blood pressure by 10 mmHg systolic and 4 mmHg diastolic with medication can reduce the risk of dementia by over ten percent.
And: the more pronounced the reduction in blood pressure, the more the risk of dementia was reduced. This linear beneficial effect was evident up to a blood pressure of 100/70 mmHg. There was also no evidence of any harm from the reduction in blood pressure.
A Chinese observational study with around 34,000 people confirms the positive effect of good blood pressure control on mental abilities.
Among other things, it was shown that those who took part in a supervised blood pressure treatment program had a significantly reduced risk of dementia and that mental decline was also lower than in the comparison group without targeted therapy.
It is never too late
So there are good reasons to get high blood pressure under control. And it's never too late.
“Treating high blood pressure is beneficial at any age and not only protects against an acute stroke or other cardiovascular events. It also pays off in the long term, as dementia occurs less frequently,” confirms Prof. Böhm and appeals:
“Check your blood pressure regularly and see a doctor if your blood pressure is elevated to protect your blood vessels and organs.”
Choose a healthy lifestyle
High blood pressure can be reduced through a healthy lifestyle, especially with endurance training – such as cycling, walking, jogging or swimming – and by losing excess weight and, if necessary, by consistently taking blood pressure-lowering medication.
In principle, patients should seek individual advice from their doctor about which training is right for them.
In general, however, all well-controlled hypertensive patients without end-organ damage are expressly advised to be physically active. (ad)
