Blood Pressure Treatment Linked to Lower Dementia Risk, Study Finds
Summary
A large study in rural China found that intense treatment of high blood pressure can reduce the risk of dementia. Adults who followed a strict blood pressure plan for seven years had a 15% lower chance of developing dementia compared to those who received usual care.Key Facts
- The study included 33,995 adults aged 40 and older with high blood pressure from 326 rural villages in China.
- Participants were split into two groups: one received normal care, the other intensive blood pressure treatment by community health workers.
- The treatment goal was to lower blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg.
- After seven years, the intensive treatment group lowered systolic blood pressure by 17.6 mmHg on average; the usual care group lowered it by 2.4 mmHg.
- Dementia developed in 8.85% of the intensive-treatment group versus 10.55% in the usual-care group.
- Intensive treatment also lowered the risk of mild cognitive problems without dementia by 13%.
- Serious health problems were slightly less common in the intensive treatment group.
- The study suggests managing blood pressure in communities with trained healthcare workers can protect brain health.
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