Research indicates that older adults experiencing variations in blood pressure may face an increased risk of cognitive issues, particularly in thinking and memory skills. This correlation was specifically identified among Black participants, while it was not observed in white participants.
According to a study featured in the December 11, 2024, online edition of Neurology®, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, older adults with fluctuating blood pressure are potentially at higher risk for cognitive challenges, including issues with thinking and memory. Notably, this relationship was established in Black individuals yet not found in white individuals within the study.
It is important to note that this research does not confirm that changes in blood pressure directly cause cognitive difficulties; it merely highlights a connection.
“These findings imply that blood pressure fluctuations pose a risk for cognitive decline independent of the detrimental effects associated with consistently high blood pressure,” explained Dr. Anisa Dhana, the study’s author from Rush University in Chicago. “Regular blood pressure monitoring in older adults is essential to pinpoint those who may be at risk and to develop strategies to mitigate this issue, potentially helping to prevent or postpone cognitive decline.”
The study’s participants numbered 4,770, with an average age of 71; 66% identified as Black, while the rest were white.
Initial blood pressure measurements were taken at the start of the study, followed by assessments every three years over an average duration of ten years. Participants also underwent tests for thinking and memory skills both at the beginning and during their final visit.
On average, the participants recorded a blood pressure measurement of 138/78 mmHg. High blood pressure is classified as 130/80 mmHg or above.
In terms of blood pressure variability, Black participants exhibited an average fluctuation in systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 18 mmHg, in contrast to 16 mmHg noted in white participants.
Participants were categorized into three groups according to the extent of their blood pressure variation over time. Among Black participants, those showing the greatest fluctuation in blood pressure scored lower on cognitive assessments compared to those with the least variability. This difference reflected an equivalent of 2.8 years of cognitive aging.
For individuals on blood pressure medications at the onset of the study, differences in cognitive test scores were not seen between those with high and low blood pressure variations by the end of the research period.
“As our society ages and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease rises, it is crucial to discover strategies that can help slow cognitive decline in older adults,” Dr. Dhana remarked. “Regulating blood pressure and its fluctuations is becoming recognized as a modifiable and significant risk factor.”
One limitation of this study is its focus on Black and white participants, which might limit the applicability of the findings to individuals of other racial backgrounds.
This research received support from the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association.
