Researchers have uncovered a relationship between transient variations in blood pressure and compromised cognitive function, as well as heightened vascular issues in the elderly. These short-term variations, which have often been neglected in medical treatments that emphasize hypertension, are also linked to arterial rigidity. These insights suggest that the scrutiny of blood pressure variations could function as a preliminary indicator or point of intervention for averting dementia, even among those showing no explicit cognitive deficits.
A novel investigation led by the University of South Australia (UniSA) elucidates that irregularities in blood pressure, occurring both intraday and over protracted durations, can amplify the likelihood of dementia and vascular complications in older adults. This variable nature of blood pressure is concomitant with cognitive degradation.
Elevated variations in systolic blood pressure (the apex numerical value signifying the arterial pressure when the heart contracts) also correlate with arterial hardening, a condition conducive to heart disease.
These observations have been formally documented in the scientific periodical Cerebral Circulation – Cognition and Behavior.
Table of Contents
Understanding Variability in Blood Pressure
The principal investigator, Daria Gutteridge, a Ph.D. aspirant affiliated with UniSA’s Cognitive Ageing and Impairment Neuroscience Laboratory (CAIN), contends that although it is widely accepted that elevated blood pressure poses a risk for dementia, the fluctuating nature of blood pressure has been largely disregarded.
“Clinical approaches predominantly target hypertension, sidestepping the issue of blood pressure variability,” asserts Gutteridge.
“Blood pressure can demonstrate variability over diverse temporal spans—both short and long—and this is implicated in escalating the risk of dementia and vascular health deterioration.”
Research Approach and Conclusions
To delve into the mechanisms associating blood pressure fluctuations with dementia, UniSA scholars enrolled 70 cognitively unimpaired older adults, ranging from 60 to 80 years of age.
Monitoring included blood pressure assessments, cognitive examinations, and the evaluation of arterial stiffness within the cerebral and peripheral arteries using techniques such as transcranial Doppler sonography and pulse wave analysis.
“The data revealed that elevated variability in blood pressure, both within a single day and over multiple days, was correlated with diminished cognitive performance. Furthermore, heightened variations in systolic blood pressure were connected with an increase in arterial stiffness,” states the research team.
“The outcomes suggest that diverse categories of blood pressure variability may be indicative of distinct underlying biological processes, and that both systolic and diastolic variations in blood pressure have significance for cognitive function in the elderly.”
The researchers emphasize that these connections were evident even in older adults who did not manifest any clinically significant cognitive deficiencies. This leads to the proposition that fluctuations in blood pressure could potentially serve as an early diagnostic criterion or therapeutic focus for cognitive impairment.
Reference: “Cross-sectional associations between short and mid-term blood pressure variability, cognition, and vascular stiffness in older adults” by D.S. Gutteridge, P.J. Tully, A.E. Smith, T. Loetscher, and H.A. Keage, published on 1 September 2023 in Cerebral Circulation – Cognition and Behavior.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2023.100181
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dementia Risk
What is the main finding of the research regarding blood pressure variability?
The research highlights that fluctuations in blood pressure, both within a single day and over extended periods, are associated with an increased risk of dementia and vascular problems in older adults. These variations are also linked to cognitive decline.
Why has blood pressure variability been overlooked in clinical treatments?
Clinical treatments have traditionally focused on hypertension and have not paid sufficient attention to the variability in blood pressure. This research emphasizes the importance of considering blood pressure fluctuations as a potential risk factor for dementia and vascular health.
What is the significance of systolic blood pressure variations?
Higher variations in systolic blood pressure (the top number in blood pressure readings) are connected with stiffening of the arteries, which is a risk factor for heart disease. This finding underscores the importance of monitoring systolic blood pressure as part of assessing cognitive function in older adults.
How was the research conducted?
The study involved 70 healthy older adults aged 60-80 years without signs of dementia. Their blood pressure was monitored, cognitive tests were conducted, and arterial stiffness was assessed using specialized techniques like transcranial Doppler sonography and pulse wave analysis.
What are the potential implications of this research?
The research suggests that blood pressure variability could serve as an early marker or target for intervention in preventing cognitive impairment, even in individuals without noticeable cognitive decline. It may have implications for the development of new approaches to dementia prevention and treatment.
More about Dementia Risk
- Cerebral Circulation – Cognition and Behavior
- University of South Australia (UniSA)
- Blood Pressure Variability and Dementia Risk (Related Study)
5 comments
Gr8 info! BP ups & downs linked to brain probs in elders. Need more research tho.
Finally, we know! BP changes = brain risk. Hope this helps elders.
BP spikes = artery probs. Heart not only victim! #HealthMatters
Wow, BP not just abt heart, affects brain too. Gotta watch that BP.
Interesting stuff, but why they no talk ’bout this before? blood pressure ups and downs is bad for brain, got it!