Blood Pressure Control Linked to Reduced Dementia Risk in Major New Study
DALLAS, TX – Aggressive management of hypertension may considerably lower the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, according to a groundbreaking study published today in Nature. Researchers at the University of Dallas followed nearly 34,000 rural Chinese adults with high blood pressure for four years, finding a clear correlation between the number of hypertension medications taken and the incidence of neurological disorders.
The study, involving 33,995 volunteers with an average age of 63, divided participants into groups receiving advice on lifestyle modifications to manage hypertension – including increased physical activity, reduced salt intake, and limited alcohol consumption – alongside either one or three blood pressure medications. Results revealed that those taking three medications experienced a more ample reduction in blood pressure (from an average of 157.0/87.9 to 127.6/72.6 mmHg) compared to those on a single medication (155.4/87.2 to 147.7/81.0 mmHg).
Crucially, the group receiving three medications demonstrated a 15% decrease in dementia diagnoses and a 16% reduction in overall cognitive disorders compared to the group on only one medication. While acknowledging hypertension is not the sole factor in brain aging, the research suggests that proactive blood pressure treatment could be a vital preventative measure in safeguarding mental health as we age.
This research builds on existing knowledge linking hypertension to increased dementia risk and offers compelling evidence for the potential benefits of intensified blood pressure management as a key component of dementia prevention strategies.