It has to do with blood pressure.
Recent research indicates that untreated high blood pressure in your 60s may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. However, the study also suggests that managing hypertension can significantly mitigate this risk.
According to Dr. Matthew Lennon from the University of New South Wales in Australia, the study found that using blood pressure medications was linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease in later years. “These findings underscore the importance of treating high blood pressure as individuals age to lower their Alzheimer’s risk,” Lennon said. The results were published on August 14 in the journal Neurology.
Lennon noted that while previous research has shown that blood pressure medications can lower the risk of various types of dementia, there has been less focus on their impact specifically on Alzheimer’s disease. To explore this, his team conducted a meta-analysis, reviewing data from over 31,000 individuals across 14 studies that tracked cognitive changes and dementia diagnoses over time.
The study revealed that 1,415 participants developed Alzheimer’s disease during an average follow-up period of four years. Of those, 9% had untreated high blood pressure, while 51% were on blood pressure medications, 36% had normal blood pressure, and 4% were categorized as uncertain regarding their blood pressure status.
The research showed that individuals with untreated high blood pressure had a 36% higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those with healthy blood pressure and a 42% higher risk compared to those already using blood pressure medication. “High blood pressure is a major contributor to stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, but it can be managed with medication, thus reducing the risk of these conditions,” Lennon added.
While the study established an association between high blood pressure and increased dementia risk, it did not determine a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
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