ST. PAUL, Minn.—High blood pressure is linked to memory problems in people over 45, according to research published in the August 25 issue of Neurology.
The study found that people with high diastolic blood pressure, which is the bottom number of a blood pressure reading, were more likely to have cognitive impairment, or problems with their memory and thinking skills, than people with normal diastolic readings.
High blood pressure is defined as a reading equal to or higher than 140/90 or taking medication for high blood pressure, according to the study.
For every 10 point increase in the reading, the odds of a person having cognitive problems were seven percent higher, according to the study. The results were valid after adjusting for other factors that could affect cognitive abilities, such as age, smoking status, exercise level, education, diabetes or high cholesterol.
The study involved nearly 20,000 people age 45 and older across the country who participated in the Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study and had never had a stroke or mini-stroke. A total of 1,505 of the participants, or 7.6 percent, had cognitive problems, and 9,844, or 49.6 percent, were taking medication for high blood pressure.
