Long-term hypertension and lipid lowering management does not significantly affect cognitive decline in older people, a new study has found.

The findings, which come despite evidence that elevated blood pressure in mid-life is associated with development of cognitive impairment in later life, raised questions about how best to modify cardiovascular risks, researchers said.

The HOPE-3 study involved 2361 people older than 70 with known cardiovascular risk factors – a cohort from the landmark HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) trial which investigated the effect of ACE inhibitors on cardiovascular events.

The participants, from 21 countries including Australia, were randomised to receive either placebo, antihypertensive medication (candesartan plus hydrochlorothiazide), cholesterol-lowering medication (rosuvastatin), or the two combined.