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High BP variability associated with cognitive function decline
High long-term visit-to-visit variability in BP readings has been linked to faster declines in cognitive function among adults aged 55 to 64 years, researchers reported in Hypertension.
“BP variability might signal blood flow instability, which could lead to the damage of the finer vessels of the body with changes in brain structure and function,” Bo Qin, PhD, postdoctoral scholar at Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Brunswick, New Jersey, said in a press release. “These BP fluctuations may indicate pathological processes such as inflammation and impaired function in the blood vessels themselves.”
Bo Qin
The researchers analyzed 976 adults aged 55 years and older who had participated in the prospective China Health and Nutrition Survey. Qin and colleagues evaluated BP measurements, first cognitive tests and subsequent cognitive screening tests during follow-up.
According to the findings, higher visit-to-visit variability in systolic BP was linked with a faster decline in cognitive function and verbal memory. Similar variability in diastolic BP between visits was also associated with faster declines in cognitive function among adults aged 55 to 64 years; the same association was not observed in adults aged 65 years and older.
Mean systolic or diastolic BP readings were not associated with changes in cognitive function.
The researchers called for more attention on variability of BP readings, rather than average readings.
“Controlling BP instability could possibly be a potential strategy in preserving cognitive function among older adults,” Qin said. – by Dave Quaile
Disclosure: One researcher reports receiving financial support from Sanofi/UNC Global Nutrition Fellowship and a Fogarty NIH grant. The other researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.