Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 22: A recent study reveals that actively managing high blood pressure through medication, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring can lower the risk of developing dementia by 15%. Dementia, a progressive brain condition that affects memory and cognitive function, impacts over 57 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization.

While age is a known risk factor, experts emphasize that dementia is not inevitable. Many cases can be delayed or even prevented by addressing modifiable health risks such as hypertension (high blood pressure).

In a large international study published in Nature Medicine, researchers from China and the US examined 33,995 adults aged 40 and older with uncontrolled high blood pressure in rural China. Participants, divided into two groups, were either given intensive hypertension management care or received routine care. The intervention group, consisting of 17,407 individuals, was provided with blood pressure medication, tailored dosage plans, lifestyle coaching, and at-home blood pressure monitors, while the control group continued with standard clinical care.

After four years, only 668 individuals in the intensive care group developed dementia, compared to 734 in the regular care group—demonstrating a 15% reduction in dementia risk. Additionally, there was a 16% lower risk of early cognitive problems among those who received structured support.

Although the study did not initially assess cognitive function, researchers are confident in the results due to the large sample size and the similarity between the two groups. The findings underscore the importance of integrating cardiovascular and cognitive care as populations age, potentially playing a crucial role in preventing or delaying neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.