High blood pressure impairs memory and causes thought disorders in middle-aged and older people. This is the conclusion reached by Brazilian researchers who published the results of their scientific work in the journal Hypertension. The new danger of hypertension reported in press release at MedicalXpress.
Scientists analyzed data on seven thousand adults in Brazil, whose average age was 59 years. The study participants were followed up for almost four years. Cognitive functions were tested such as memory, fluency, attention, concentration and other properties associated with thinking.
It turned out that systolic blood pressure of 121-139 millimeters of mercury and diastolic pressure of 81-89 millimeters of mercury contributes to an accelerated decline in cognitive functions in middle-aged and older people who did not use antihypertensive drugs. At the same time, the rate of deterioration in brain function did not depend on the duration of hypertension, that is, even the shortest bouts of high blood pressure reduce cognitive functions.
Among the limitations of their work, the scientists named the relatively short observation period and the fact that the participants independently reported hypertension. At the same time, the researchers believe that their findings are applicable to residents of regions other than Brazil.