Increased arterial stiffness is superior to blood pressure in predicting cognitive decline in healthy individuals

Increased arterial stiffness is superior to blood pressure in predicting cognitive decline in healthy individuals
Researchers studied 591 asymptomatic healthy adults who had annual vascular assessments and cognitive tests over a 5-year period. They found that arterial stiffness, a marker of how "flexible" the arteries are, is not only associated with future cognitive loss but also better predicted those who will develop cognitive loss compared to the blood pressure levels.

A recent study by Emory researchers found arterial stiffness, measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV), is associated with a steeper decline in cognitive performance than blood pressure. The findings, published in the journal Hypertension, may offer a better prediction of future dementia than just blood pressure level.

While hypertension has been associated with and dementia, there was little known about the impact of increased on memory, either alone or in combination with elevated .

Researchers studied 591 asymptomatic healthy adults who had annual vascular assessments and cognitive tests over a 5-year period. They found that arterial stiffness, a marker of how "flexible" the arteries are, is not only associated with future cognitive loss but also better predicted those who will develop cognitive loss compared to the .

"By looking specifically at arterial stiffness we were able to identify a group of healthy adults that are at the greatest risk of developing cognitive decline. In particular, individuals with higher PWV and hypertension were at greatest risk", says lead researcher Ihab Hajjar, MD, MS, associate professor of medicine and neurology at Emory University School of Medicine.

"Our study suggests that cognition in hypertensive individuals is more likely related to the underlying functional changes in the arterial structure, rather than simply to the blood pressure level", adds Hajjar.

As such, the authors suggest that focusing on lowering blood pressure may not be sufficient, but rather interventions that may lower both blood pressure and PWV may be considered as treatment options for prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia with aging.

Journal information: Hypertension
Provided by Emory University
Citation: Increased arterial stiffness is superior to blood pressure in predicting cognitive decline in healthy individuals (2015, December 28) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-12-arterial-stiffness-superior-blood-pressure.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Beta-amyloid deposits increase with age, associated with artery stiffness

86 shares

Feedback to editors