Hitting targets for low BP in the elderly linked to cognitive decline
Current hypertension management guidelines are failing to take account of the effects on brain health in the elderly, says Professor Perminder Sachdev
Antihypertensive treatment to achieve guideline-recommended targets in the elderly might hasten the rate of cognitive decline, Australian researchers warn.
Their concern follows new study findings showing that achieving systolic blood pressure (SBP) at or below 120mmHg with medication was associated with global cognitive decline.
Australian guidelines, published in 2016, recommend a treatment target of SBP 120mmHg or lower in over-75s, unless there is concomitant diabetes.
Drawing upon data from the longitudinal Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, investigators compared cognitive outcomes among 1015 participants (aged 70 to 90) in three SBP groups: 120mmHg or lower, 121-140mmHg and 140mmHg or higher.
