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Lowering blood pressure to recommended levels can prevent dementia and the memory and thinking problems that often occur first, researchers reported Wednesday.
the reading of the pressure was reduced to 120 were 19 percent less likely to develop a mild cognitive impairment, memory loss and the brain treatment power that usually precedes Alzheimer's disease, l & # 39; 39, study revealed. And they were 15% less likely to develop cognitive decline and dementia.
"It's really exciting," said Heather Snyder, senior director of medical operations for the Alzheimer's Association. The results were presented at the association's annual meeting in Chicago
"These results really cement the adage that what is good for the heart is good for the brain," said Dr. Mark Supiano, geriatrician at the University. Utah Health System and VA Salt Lake City Health System who worked on the study.
It will take a few more years before the study conclusively shows whether the risk of Alzheimer's has been reduced because of high blood pressure The researchers said.
This is the first intervention that has been clearly demonstrated to reduce rates of mental decline. And it was one of two promising studies presented at the annual meeting of the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago. A second study revealed that an experimental drug could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in early-stage patients.
Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, including 200,000 under 65 years old.
There is no cure, and although there are indications that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk, no comparative trials people who do not have a cure received treatment were able to show a reduction in cases of cognitive decline or dementia.
This one
The results come from a large blood pressure test called systolic blood pressure.
He has already found that lowering systolic blood pressure – the highest figure in a blood pressure measurement – to 120 or less can prevent strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease and other problems. were so convincing that the trial was stopped, and the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for blood pressure in 2017 that recommended obtaining systolic blood p
Previously, people were not considered to have high blood pressure until the upper figure reached 140.
The test was also intended to determine whether the patient had a high blood pressure. lowering blood pressure would have an effect on dementia. 19659011] Related
This is the case, said Dr. Jeff Williamson of the Wake Forest School of Medicine and his colleagues. They studied 9,361 people with an average age of 68 years at the start. Half of their blood pressure was lowered to 120 by all means, while the other half received standard blood pressure.
"These results confirm the need to maintain well-controlled blood pressure, especially in people over 50 years of age. Williamson said in a statement
There had been some concerns that it might be too much.
"There was a lot of concern that there might be cognitive damage in the lowering of blood pressure, "Supiano told NBC News.] The fear was that less blood would reach the brain if the blood pressure was so low.
But that did not seem to happen. blood pressure was lower were more prone to dizziness or falls Serious side effects were more common in people whose blood pressure was significantly reduced, but this was only 4% of cases compared to 2% among those who received less intensive treatment
. "On average, people randomized to an intensive arm were taking one more drug compared to people on the standard arm," he explains. worked on about three drugs, compared to two in the standard care group.
Gregg Donovan, a 41-year-old software engineer from Port Washington, New York, takes these recommendations to heart. 19659004] Hus dad died with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 77, and three of his grandparents have the disease, so Donovan worries that it's him- even in danger.
"I learned that biological processes underline the disease" Donovan told NBC News
"I would say that the effort is worth it," said Donovan, who is monitoring his tension arterial, tries to get enough sleep and tries to exercise and eat healthy in the hope of reducing his own risk. "I am willing to go to great lengths to prevent myself." [19659004] A diet low in salt and loaded with fruits and vegetables can lower blood pressure, just like exercise.There are several categories of drugs approved to lower blood pressure.It is advisable for doctors to start with a diuretic, lower the total volume of blood and add other classes such as calcium channel blockers as needed.
High blood pressure damages the brain of the same way as other organs.
"50 to 70% of people with Alzheimer's disease also have vascular changes," said Snyder of the Alzheimer's Association at NBC News.
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