High blood pressure ‘increases your risk of dementia’, experts warn
SLASHING high blood pressure significantly reduces brain power loss and may protect against dementia, according to landmark research.
Scientists found it cut risk of cognitive decline - an early sign of Alzheimer’s - in older people by a fifth.
The three year study on more than 9,000 over-50s also suggested the treatment lowered the chance of later developing dementia by around 15 per cent.
But these specific results were not considered significant due to a lack of numbers and follow-up time.
U.S. experts said the findings were “encouraging” and are now planning a larger trial.
Prevention is better than a cure
Around one in three adults in the UK suffer from high blood pressure.
Researcher Dr Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging, in Bethesda, Maryland, said: “Results showing that intensive lowering of blood pressure may reduce risk for mild cognitive impairment, a known risk factor for dementia, gives us additional avenues to explore on the path to prevention."
Loss of brain power – also known as cognitive impairment – is one of the first signs of dementia.
Those affected find it harder to think, remember and reason, compared to normal people their age.
Around 850,000 Brits have dementia and the figure is expected to hit one million with a decade.
There is currently no cure but some drugs can control the symptoms.
A silent killer
High blood pressure is known as the silent killer, because signs often go unnoticed until it is too late.
Under NHS rules, it is a reading over 140/90mmHg – meaning a third of adults are eligible for treatment.
In the study, published in JAMA, medics aimed to lower participants’ blood pressure to less than 120mmHG.
The treatment reduced the risk of brain power loss by 19 per cent.
Researcher Dr Laurie Ryan, from the NIA, said: “The fact that there was still a mild cognitive impairment result when the study was cut short makes these results encouraging."
And fellow scientist Dr Lenore Launer said: “This is a landmark study.”
10 steps to lower blood pressure
HIGH blood pressure - known by the medical term hypertension - can increase you risk of heart attack and stroke, if left untreated.
Your GP will be able to check your blood pressure.
The reading comes back with two numbers.
The higher number is the systolic pressure - the force at which your heart pumps blood around the body.
The lower number is the diastolic pressure - the resistance to the blood flow in your blood vessels.
High blood pressure is defined by the NHS as 140/90mmHg or higher.
Ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
And low blood pressure is 90/60mmHg.
For those people suffering high blood pressure, simple lifestyle changes can help reduce it:
1. Lose weight and watch your waistline
2. Exercise regularly - aim for 150 minutes a week or half-an-hour most days
3. Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veg, low-fat dairy and low in saturated fat and cholesterol
4. Lower salt levels in your diet
5. Limit the amount of booze you drink
6. Quit smoking - each cigarette raises your blood pressure for minutes afterwards, but quitting will help it return to normal
7. Cut back on caffeine
8. Reduce stress levels
9. See your doctor regualrly and monitor your blood pressure
10. Get support from family and friends to help improve your health
MORE ON DEMENTIA
Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It appears that intensively lowering blood pressure reduced the number of people that developed mild cognitive impairment – a major risk factor for dementia, though not dementia itself.
“But because this study was stopped early we can’t take a lot from the findings.
“We’ve known for a while that keeping your blood pressure in check can help prevent dementia, but there’s still lots of unanswered questions, which is why we’ve invested £5m in research to better understand it.
“Until the day we find a cure, prevention is key.”
On Friday we revealed regular sex can cut blood pressure - and lower the risk of stroke "as effectively as drugs".
Having an orgasm slashed a person's reading by up to 13 per cent the next day.
So while doctors advise you cut booze, fast food, caffeine and smoking from your lifestyle to lower your blood pressure, it turns out having more fun between the sheets might be beneficial too.
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