Alzheimer’s disease is becoming an increasing health concern in the United States, with projections indicating that the number of people affected could nearly triple by 2060. Concurrently, hypertension, or high blood pressure, is prevalent in almost half of all American adults. The analysis involved more than 31,000 participants with an average age of 72, collected from 14 studies across various countries, including the United States, Brazil, China, and France.
During an average follow-up period of four years, 1,415 participants developed Alzheimer’s disease. After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, and education, researchers found that participants with untreated high blood pressure experienced a 36 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without hypertension. They also found that untreated hypertension correlated with a 42 percent increased risk of Alzheimer’s when compared to people who were managing their high blood pressure with medication.
“These results suggest that treating high blood pressure as a person ages continues to be a crucial factor in reducing their risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Lennon added. Blood Pressure Control Inflammation Reduction Vascular Health “This research reinforces the importance of managing hypertension for both cardiovascular and brain health,” Sunkara said. While this study provides compelling evidence, further research is needed to establish a definitive causal link and to understand the specific mechanisms involved, Sunkara added.
“Randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up studies will be crucial in confirming the benefits of hypertension medication in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.”.
