High Blood Pressure Increases Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Blood Pressure Monitor (StockUnlimited)
High blood pressure has been linked to many serious diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. However, research now shows that high blood pressure can also raise the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) reports that new long-term research from four different countries gives further evidence that untreated high blood pressure also increases the risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science of the NIA Intramural Research Program
Results of the research from the Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science of the NIA Intramural Research Program were published in Lancet Neurology. The researchers cross-referenced information from six large studies that followed the health of 31,000 adults over the age 55 for several years. They divided the participants into two groups:
15,537 people with high blood pressure
15,553 people with normal blood pressure
Four Different Countries Participated in the Trial
The research was taken from community-based health studies in four different countries from 1987 until 2008:
- United States
- France
- Iceland
- Netherlands
Study Examined Five Major Types of Medicines to Lower Blood Pressure
The researchers also examined the five major types of medicines to lower blood pressure, but did not find any evidence to show that one kind of blood pressure lowering drug was better than another. The main beneficial thing was to lower blood pressure. The five major types of blood pressure lowering drugs were:
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Diuretics
Results
Over time 1,741 people were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and 3,728 were diagnosed with other kinds of dementias.
The researchers discovered that treating high blood pressure reduced the risk for dementia by 12% and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 16%.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
According to the latest statistics by the American Heart Association (AHA), 116.4 million or 46% of American adults are estimated to have high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is 130/80 or greater. Unfortunately, most people who have high blood pressure do not even know they have it. High blood pressure does not usually produce any symptoms and for this reason has been called the “silent killer.” See our blog post from August 3, 2018 about managing high blood pressure.
Recent Spanish Study Shows that Taking Medicine to Lower Blood Pressure Works Best when Taken at Bedtime
A recent Spanish study published in the European Heart Journal October 22, 2019 showed that taking medicine to lower blood pressure works best when taken at bedtime.
The Hygia Chronotherapy Trial
The Hygia Chronotherapy Trial examined 19,084 patients with high blood pressure. There were followed for more than six years. Results showed that those who took their blood pressure lowering medicine at bed time had a lower risk for cardiovascular disease than those who took the medicine when waking up in the morning.
Memory Care for Dementia at the Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse, New York
If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse, New York has a special memory care unit to care for people suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. Van Duyn also has a fantastic array of recreational programs that are tailored to the needs of people suffering from dementia.
Conclusion
It certainly pays to manage high blood pressure even though it does not cause any real symptoms or pain and may go unnoticed. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.