HEALTHLINE – A new study found that people ages 60 and above with untreated high blood pressure may be at greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
This was in comparison with individuals whose high blood pressure was currently being treated or had been treated in the past. A comparison was also made with people without high blood pressure.
Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly 7 million people in the U.S. alone, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, and it is the most common type of dementia, making up an estimated 60% to 80% of cases.
People who have Alzheimer’s disease experience problems with memory and cognition that are severe enough to interfere with their daily lives. Aging is its number one risk factor.
The study’s goal was to examine how untreated high blood pressure affects people’s risk of this very common disease.
For the study, the research team examined data from more than 31,000 people. The average age of the study participants was 72.
During an average follow-up period of four years, a little over 1,400 of them went on to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
After looking at various factors — such as blood pressure readings, high blood pressure diagnosis, and whether people used medications to treat their blood pressure — the team found that 9% were not treating their condition, 51% were using medications, 36% did not have high blood pressure, and 4% were not sure of their status.
After adjusting for any other factors that could influence the outcome, it was found that untreated high blood pressure was associated with a 36% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who did not have high blood pressure.
Additionally, the group had a 42% increased risk for Alzheimer’s when they were compared with those who were treating their high blood pressure with medications.
Per the study authors, this implies that treating high blood pressure as you age could play a vital role in reducing your Alzheimer’s risk
