People who have high blood pressure are more likely to experience cognitive impairment, such as dementia. However, a recent study conducted by Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that participating in intense physical activity at least once a week can reduce this risk. These findings were published online today in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association..
Richard Kazibwe, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and lead author of the study, stated that the benefits of physical exercise include lowering blood pressure, improving heart health, and potentially delaying cognitive decline. However, the exact amount and intensity of exercise required to preserve cognition remains unknown.
In 2015, the landmark Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) published findings showing that intensive blood pressure management reduced cardiovascular disease and decreased the risk of death.
SPRINT began in theIn the autumn of 2009, over 9,300 individuals with high blood pressure aged 50 and above were involved in a study. They were recruited from approximately 100 medical centers and clinical practices across the United States. The participants were randomly assigned to achieve a systolic blood pressure goal of either less than 120 mm Hg (intensive treatment) or less than 140 mm Hg (standard treatment). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) halted the blood pressure intervention earlier than planned in order to quickly share the significant initial results, leading to new guidelines for blood pressure control.
In 2019, the SPRINT MIND trial’s additional findings were released.A recent study led by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that controlling blood pressure in older adults can significantly decrease the likelihood of developing mild cognitive impairment, which is a precursor to early dementia. In a secondary analysis of the SPRINT MIND study, Kazibwe and his team looked at how regular vigorous physical activity, reported by the participants themselves, affected the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The results showed that those who engaged in vigorous physical activity at least once a week had lower rates of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Kazibwe stated that this suggests a potential link between physical activity and cognitive health in older adults.The study revealed that almost 60% of participants reported engaging in intense physical activity at least once a week, including those who were 75 years old and older.
“It’s great to hear that more older adults are involved in physical exercise. This also suggests that older adults who understand the importance of exercise may be more likely to engage in more intense exercise,” Kazibwe noted.
However, the research team discovered that the protective effects of intense exercise were more noticeable for those under 75.
“While this study presents evidence that vigorous exercise may help maintain cognitive function in high-risk patients with hypertension, further research is needed.”
“Including device-based physical activity measurements and more diverse participant populations is necessary,” Kazibwe stated.
