Along with all of the usual good reasons for keeping your blood pressure in check, you can now add cognitive ability. A study in the Dec. 10 issue of Neurology, from the American Academy of Neurology, says high blood pressure is linked to a loss of cognitive function -- the ability to think, remember and learn.
The four-year study includes 1,373 people age 59 to 71 in western France and shows 21.7 percent of those with untreated high blood pressure had severe cognitive decline. Researchers say among those who had their blood pressure controlled by medication, only 7.8 percent had a cognitive problem, about the same rate as those who did not have high blood pressure at all.
Researchers say that cognitive decline can eventually lead to Alzheimer's disease. They now want to know if controlling blood pressure can, in fact, reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
It is a major medical question because it may prevent one of the most debilitating diseases found among older Americans. Beyond the long-term impact, researchers say adults need to know what their blood pressure is and keep it under control.
For today's top stories and breaking news, click to the ThirdAge Top 100.
