The risk of dementia may be related to blood pressure variability (BPV) in men, according to a new report from Monash University. Researchers suggest that this new information could allow for new treatments and preventative measures in the management of dementia and cognitive decline.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the paper comes from many important health findings out of the ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) dataset. This aspirin trial has continued to provide extensive, high-quality data from 19,114 Australians and Americans, which originally rose to acclaim in 2018.
Advertisement
Research such as this report is critical as the population grows increasingly older. It is estimated that by 2050, people aged 60 years and older will outnumber adolescents and youths. As age-related diseases continue to increase, they will definitely become a major health priority.
A Strong Predictor of Dementia
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, in mid-life has previously been shown to be a strong predictor of dementia in later life. However, this report adds to mounting evidence that short and long-term fluctuations in blood pressure (BPV) are also an indicator of cognitive decline.
Previous studies investigating BPV involved younger people, older people with cognitive impairment, or used a single cognitive assessment tool which limited findings. The ASPREE dataset, on the other hand, was uniquely suited to provide information from a large cohort of participants who underwent standardized blood pressure and cognition assessments on many facets of memory and cognition. They also underwent a depression scale before each annual cognitive test and received long-term follow-up.
Data from 16,758 participants were included in this study. All participants were placed into one of three groups based on BVP: low, medium, and high. BPV was generally higher among women than men, but cognitive scores were similar across participants with low, medium, and high BPV.
Over the follow-up, differences started to emerge. Participants in the highest BPV group were shown to be at a significantly higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline compared with those in the low group. Males also showed a significantly higher risk.
Research is suggesting that BPV is associated with structural brain changes which may be the cause of cognitive impairment. However, degeneration of neurons and synapses that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease can also influence the body’s regulation of blood pressure. So, whether these changes are caused by BPV or vice versa is unknown.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
