Blood Pressure Control Reduces the Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

New research shows for the first time a significant reduction in the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) * and dementia due to the aggressive lowering of systolic blood pressure. "This is the first randomized clinical trial to demonstrate a reduction in new cases of MCI alone or the combined risk of MCI and total dementia," said Jeff D. Williamson, professor at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. The results of this extensive long-term clinical trial provide the strongest evidence to date that the treatment of high blood pressure – one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease in the world – reduces the risk of MCI and dementia

. The study provides the most compelling data available to effectively reduce the risk of MCI and dementia, particularly with respect to cardiovascular risk factors, "said Maria C. Carrillo, of the Alzheimer's Association. "To reduce new cases of MCI and dementia worldwide, doctors and patients must do everything they can to lower blood pressure to what it says in this study, which has has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. "

Carrillo pointed out that these findings are in line with recent demographic data suggesting a decline in new cases of dementia in the western developed countries.This decline in dementia may be due to better control cardiovascular risk factors in these societies through drug treatment, smoking cessation and increased awareness of lifestyle n

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