Researchers show a link between high blood pressure, especially when detected young, and the risk of developing dementia.
- High blood pressure is a known risk factor for dementia.
- Globally, high blood pressure is associated with a 15.8% risk of developing dementia.
- Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe are the areas most affected by this link.
Every year there is nearly 10 million new cases of dementia worldwide, according to theNational Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). According to the World Health Organization (WHO)Madness “covers several diseases that affect memory, thinking and the ability to perform daily tasks.” The most common is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 1.2 million people in France.
High blood pressure, a risk factor for dementia
High blood pressure is one of the known risk factors for dementia. This Chronic disease is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the blood vessels. A new study, published in the journal EClinicalMedicinewanted to quantify this risk factor on a global scale.
To do this, the researchers pooled data from 186 countries on high blood pressure and the prevalence of dementia in the population. The aim was to measure the number of cases of dementia attributable to high blood pressure, that is to say those who would not develop if this disease did not exist.
15.8% risk of dementia linked to high blood pressure
Thus, the researchers calculated that the risk of dementia linked to high blood pressure was 15.8%. In detail, the risk was slightly higher for men (16%) than for women (15.7%).
Globally, not all regions are affected in the same way. Indeed, those for which the association between arterial hypertension and dementia is the strongest are Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Finally, the scientists also observed that people for whom high blood pressure was diagnosed early, between the ages of 30 and 44, were more likely to suffer from dementia. Nevertheless, they believe that earlier detection and management of this disease could reduce the number of cases of dementia.
To diagnose high blood pressure, the doctor uses a blood pressure monitor and compares the numbers obtained with those of a normal blood pressure, which is 120/80. The first number is the systolic pressure which equals the maximum pressure, when the heart contracts to empty itself of blood. 80 is the diastolic pressure, which is the minimum when the heart relaxes to fill.
The doctor usually suspects high blood pressure when the pressure exceeds 149/90 in the office. To confirm or refute this diagnosis, the patient must take self-readings of his blood pressure at home several times a day for three days.
