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High blood pressure is an insidious and potentially fatal disease. Persistent hypertension can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. More than one in four people live with this disease in the UK, but many will not realize it because the symptoms can be difficult to detect. Doctors should remain vigilant and know the signs. One of the early signs is cognitive function, according to doctors.
According to a study published in the journal Neurology, high blood pressure is related to memory problems in people over 45 years old.
The study found that people with high diastolic blood pressure, which corresponds to the last digit of a blood pressure reading, were more likely to have cognitive impairment or memory problems and of thinking ability than people with normal diastolic readings.
For each 10-point increase in reading, the odds of a person with cognitive problems were seven percent higher.
The results were valid after adjusting for other factors that may affect cognitive abilities, such as age, smoking, level of physical activity, education, diabetes, or other factors. high cholesterol
The study was conducted among 20,000 individuals aged 45 and over in Canada who participated in the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke) study and had never had a stroke. nor mini-stroke.
A total of 1,505 participants, or 7.6%, had cognitive problems, and 9,844, or 49.6%, were taking medication for hypertension.
High blood pressure is defined as a reading equal to or greater than 140/90 or taking medication for high blood pressure.
"It is possible that by preventing or treating high blood pressure, we can prevent cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to dementia," said study author , Georgios Tsivgoulis, MD, from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and a member of the American Academy. of neurology.
How does arterial hypertension cause cognitive impairment? Research has shown that diastolic hypertension causes weakening of the small arteries of the brain, which may lead to the development of small areas of brain damage.
Tsivgoulis said more research is needed to confirm the relationship between high blood pressure and cognitive impairment.
"The REGARDS study is one of the largest studies of risk factors for stroke in the population. These latest data suggest that high blood pressure may be a risk factor for cognitive decline, but further studies will be needed to understand the cause-and-effect relationship, "said Walter J. Koroshetz, MD, NINDS Deputy Director and Member from the American Academy of Neurology.
"The National Institutes of Health is currently organizing a large clinical trial to badess whether aggressive lowering of blood pressure can reduce several important health outcomes, including cognitive decline," he added.
The results of the study underscore the importance of the NHS's advice that all adults over 40 years of age should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years.
"It's easy and could save your life," said the NHS.
A person can have their blood pressure tested in several places, including:
- With a general practitioner
- In some pharmacies
- As part of an NHS health check
- In some workplaces
A person can also check his blood pressure at home with a blood pressure monitor.
Depending on the body's health, the following lifestyle changes can help prevent and reduce high blood pressure:
- Reduce the amount of salt you eat and eat a generally healthy diet
- Reduce alcohol
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Regular exercise
- Reduce caffeine
- Stop smoking
- Try to sleep at least six hours per night
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