by New research suggests that fluctuations in blood pressure can increase the risk of dementia in older adults. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of South Australia, found that both short and long-term fluctuations in blood pressure could serve as early indicators of cognitive impairment.
While the health risks of high blood pressure, or hypertension, are well-documented, recent advancements in wearable, non-invasive blood pressure monitors have shed light on the importance of blood pressure variability as a key determinant of health risks.
The study involved 70 healthy adults between the ages of 60 and 80 with no signs of dementia or cognitive impairment. Participants underwent blood pressure monitoring and cognitive tests, and the researchers also measured arterial stiffness in their brains and arteries. Arterial stiffness is a known cardiovascular risk factor for cognitive impairment and is closely related to hypertension.
The findings revealed that high systolic blood pressure, as well as short and long-term variability in diastolic blood pressure, were associated with poorer cognitive functioning, regardless of average blood pressure levels. Short-term blood pressure variability was linked to decreased attention and psychomotor speed, while day-to-day variability was negatively associated with executive functioning.
Additionally, higher systolic short-term blood pressure variability was correlated with increased arterial stiffness, while higher diastolic short-term variability was associated with reduced arterial stiffness.
Lead author of the study, Daria Gutteridge, explained that higher blood pressure variability within a day, as well as across multiple days, was linked to decreased cognitive performance. Furthermore, higher blood pressure variations within the systolic blood pressure were associated with increased arterial stiffness in the arteries. These findings indicate that different types of blood pressure variability likely reflect distinct underlying biological mechanisms, and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure variation are important factors in cognitive function among older adults.
The researchers suggest that blood pressure variability could potentially be used as an early marker for cognitive impairment and a target for treatment. Even in the absence of clinically relevant cognitive impairment, high blood pressure variability was found to be associated with lower cognitive performance and increased arterial stiffness.
In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of considering the variable nature of systolic and diastolic blood pressure when managing blood pressure as a risk factor for dementia. By recognizing and addressing blood pressure variability, healthcare professionals may be able to optimize the management of blood pressure and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline among older adults.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
