August 28, 2024
Seniors who live with untreated high blood pressure are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new analysis. The study found that adults aged 60 and older with untreated high blood pressure had a 36 percent higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to their peers who did not have high blood pressure and a 42 percent higher risk compared to those treating high blood pressure with medication.
“High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke and cerebrovascular disease, and yet it can be controlled with medication, reducing a person’s risk of these diseases,” said study author Dr. Matthew J. Lennon of the University of New South Wales in Australia. “Taking blood pressure medications has also been found in previous research to reduce a person’s risk of dementias overall, but less is known about how blood pressure affects a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Our meta-analysis looked at older people and found that not treating blood pressure may indeed increase a person’s risk.”
The analysis showed only an association between untreated high blood pressure and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and could not prove cause and effect. But the findings were based on pooled data from 14 international studies involving 31,250 men and women. Their ages ranged from 60 to 110, with an average age of 72. About 9 percent had untreated high blood pressure, 51 percent were taking blood pressure medications, and 36 percent did not have high blood pressure. Another 4 percent had incomplete information about blood pressure status and were not included in the findings.
The researchers tracked participants over an average of four years. During that time, 1,415 developed Alzheimer’s disease. After adjusting for factors like age and sex, the researchers concluded that taking medications to treat high blood pressure lowers Alzheimer’s risk throughout the later decades of life. Even people in their 70s and 80s were at significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease if their high blood pressure was treated.
“Our meta-analysis that included people from around the world found that taking blood pressure medications was associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease throughout later life,” said Dr. Lennon. “These results suggest that treating high blood pressure as a person ages continues to be a crucial factor in reducing their risk of Alzheimer’s disease.” The findings were published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and the prevalence increases with age. But, there are no obvious symptoms, typically, and many people don’t even know they have the condition. Left untreated, hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious problems. Experts generally advise that it is best to keep blood pressure at 120/80.
While some cases of high blood pressure are a result of genetic factors, lack of exercise, a poor diet, and excessive alcohol use can contribute to the condition. All are also risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
While the first-line treatment for high blood pressure is regular exercise and a heart-healthy diet, blood pressure medications are also often needed. As this study confirms, they may be especially important for maintaining memory and thinking skills as those with high blood pressure age.
It is important to get regular check-ups to assess your blood pressure status. If your doctor prescribes blood pressure drugs, it is important to keep taking them and to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
By ALZinfo.org, The Alzheimer’s Information Site. Reviewed by Eric Schmidt, Ph.D., Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at The Rockefeller University.
Source: Matthew J. Lennon, MD; Darren M. Lipnicki, PhD; Ben Chun Pan Lam, PhD; et al: “Blood Pressure, Antihypertensive Use, and Late-Life Alzheimer and Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.” Neurology, August 14, 2024
