Jan 3, 2025 Story by: Editor
A study published on December 11, 2024, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, suggests a link between fluctuating blood pressure and cognitive decline in Black older adults. The findings indicate that such fluctuations could equate to nearly three years of cognitive aging, particularly for Black participants, with no similar association observed in white participants.
While the study highlights a correlation, it does not confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship between blood pressure variability and cognitive issues. The research instead points to a significant association.
“These results suggest that fluctuation in blood pressure is a risk factor for cognitive problems beyond the negative effects of high blood pressure itself,” said Dr. Anisa Dhana, MD, MSc, study author and a researcher at Rush University in Chicago. “Older adults should be routinely monitored for their blood pressure and any changes over time so we can identify people who may have this issue and work to alleviate it, which could potentially help to prevent or delay cognitive problems.”
Study Overview and Participant Demographics
The study involved 4,770 participants, averaging 71 years old, with 66% identifying as Black and the remainder as white. The participants underwent blood pressure tests at the start of the study and then every three years for an average of 10 years. They also took cognitive assessments at the beginning and end of the study.
At the study’s start, participants had an average blood pressure of 138/78 mmHg. High blood pressure is typically defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher.
Cognitive Impact of Blood Pressure Variability
Black participants in the study exhibited an average systolic blood pressure variation of 18 mmHg, compared to 16 mmHg for white participants. Participants were categorized into three groups based on their blood pressure variability. Among Black participants, those with the greatest fluctuations in blood pressure scored lower on cognitive tests compared to those with the least variability. This difference was equivalent to approximately 2.8 years of cognitive aging.
For participants taking blood pressure medications at the start, there was no significant difference in cognitive test scores between those with high and low blood pressure variability.
“With our aging society and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, identifying prevention strategies to slow the decline of cognitive skills in older adults has become a public health priority,” Dr. Dhana explained. “Managing blood pressure and its fluctuations is emerging as an essential risk factor that can be modified.”
Limitations
A notable limitation of the study is that the participants were predominantly Black and white, meaning the results may not apply to individuals of other racial backgrounds. Source: SciTechDaily
