Is There a Link Between High Blood Pressure and Dementia Risk?

Cognition involves memory, thinking, language, attention, and other mental functions. Researchers have recognized for many years that having high blood pressure increases your risk of acquiring cognitive impairment and dementia. While high blood pressure is a risk factor, lowering it does not guarantee a reduced dementia risk.

What is high blood pressure or hypertension?

Blood pressure is the force exerted on your arteries (the primary blood vessels that transport blood to your vital organs) while the heart circulates blood throughout the body. Your doctor measures it with a blood pressure cuff.

Two numbers represent your blood pressure.

• The first depicts the pressure of blood when the heart contracts to pump it. It is called systolic pressure.
• The second is a blood pressure measurement while the heart rests between beats. It is known as diastolic pressure.
• The normal blood pressure value is approximately 120/80 mmHg. 

When your blood pressure is continuously higher than 140/90 mmHg, it is called high blood pressure or hypertension. It is a hazardous condition that contributes significantly to heart attacks and strokes across the world. According to estimates, about 1.56 billion people worldwide will receive a diagnosis of high blood pressure by 2025 [1].

Lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, an unhealthy diet high in salt, being overweight or obese, and lack of exercise increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure.

Many of these can also increase the risk of dementia. Other causes of high blood pressure include medical disorders, medications, and genetics.

Does having high blood pressure increase the risk of developing dementia?

Research indicates that having high blood pressure raises the possibility of dementia in an individual.

For years, researchers have been aware of a link between blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease. In 2013, research revealed that Alzheimer’s biomarkers were more common in the spinal fluid of older people with hypertension or high blood pressure [2].

According to another study, the risk of dementia increased with the amount of blood pressure variation throughout eight years [3].

Long-term studies have shown that those with high blood pressure in their mid-life (between the ages of 40 and 64) have an increased risk of dementia, especially vascular dementia, later in life [4].

The second most prevalent type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease is vascular dementia. It results from decreased blood supply to the brain, depriving brain cells of the nutrition and oxygen they require to function properly. Alzheimer’s can also alter brain blood flow, which may raise the risk of getting the illness. 

Despite the association between vascular dementia and high blood pressure, therapeutic efforts to control blood pressure to prevent dementia have been inconclusive.

How high blood pressure impacts brain function

High blood pressure can impact the brain in a variety of ways. High blood pressure strains the arteries over time, causing the walls to thicken and stiffen. This condition is known as arteriosclerosis.

 Blood fats also contribute to the development of artery constriction. Artery narrowing can occur in the brain, implying that brain cells receive less oxygen and nutrients, which inhibits proper brain function.

High blood pressure and risk of stroke

High blood pressure is also the most significant risk factor for stroke. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain regions is severed or when a blood vessel bursts, resulting in bleeding in the brain. Cerebral cell death resulting from either type of stroke can induce vascular dementia.

Narrowing of blood arteries deep within the brain does not always result in a massive stroke. Microbleeds can occur when tiny, deep blood arteries become clogged. These may not show any symptoms, but they can build up over many years. These alterations appear on brain scans and are called small vessel disease. This is a significant risk factor for the development of vascular dementia.

How to manage your blood pressure

It is critical to determine your blood pressure accurately first. However, because there are no symptoms, it could go untreated until someone experiences issues (such as heart attack or angina).

If your blood pressure is excessively high, you can take steps to reduce it. Lifestyle changes that can help include:

• losing weight
• exercising regularly
• maintaining a healthy low-salt diet
• reducing caffeine consumption
• reducing alcohol consumption
• quitting smoking

Taking blood pressure medication with your doctor’s recommendation can also help regulate high blood pressure. Studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of several blood pressure-lowering medications. However, they have not been shown or advised to directly prevent vascular dementia.

It is crucial to consult your doctor if you have high blood pressure before making significant lifestyle changes or taking a new medication. As hypertension may occur without any warning signs, it’s critical to know your blood pressure and take preventative measures.

Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: Alzheimer’s Grant Application. 

You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: Donation To Alzheimer’s Research Associations.