Hypertension increases the risk of dementia, study shows – 23/06/2023 – Equilibrium

Adults who do not control their blood pressure are at greater risk of developing dementia in old age. The disease causes brain atrophy in the long term and increases the risk of cognitive decline, reveals a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, its acronym in English) by researchers at the University of California, in the United States.

The authors conducted an observational study that compared the blood pressure of 427 volunteers throughout their lives with imaging tests performed in old age. The group included black patients, who are the population most affected by dementia, but who are often less evaluated.

All participants underwent check-ups at two stages: the first was done between 30 and 40 years of age and the second at around 70 years of age. They underwent MRI scans.

Based on these data, the scientists observed that those who had high blood pressure or who developed hypertension over time had a smaller brain volume in old age.

“It is already known that cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol or smoking, are also risk factors for the development of dementia in the future”, says geriatrician Thais Ioshimoto, from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.

“One type of dementia, known as vascular dementia, occurs due to cerebral microinfarcts that lead to brain atrophy,” she points out. This is the reason why the reduction in brain size occurs.

Long-term high blood pressure can also damage brain arteries, particularly small arteries, and this can result in cognitive decline. In addition, high blood pressure can also damage larger arteries, increasing the risk of stroke (stroke).

The study reinforces the importance of controlling modifiable risk factors to prevent any type of dementia. This includes everything from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, to other aspects such as stress and smoking.