New research suggests common medications used to keep blood pressure down may also lower the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment

We all know that reducing high blood pressure is good for your heart, blood vessels, and other organs. But what if bringing down your blood pressure could have even more benefits? According to new research, reducing high blood pressure could reduce your risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

A number of different studies have linked high blood pressure (hypertension) with a greater risk of developing dementia. However, a new, large study of people in China indicates that common blood pressure medications, including ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers, could lower the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Jiang He, M.D., M.S., Ph.D., at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has, together with colleagues, looked at the effectiveness of medicines that reduce blood pressure on dementia and cognitive impairment. The study, which involved 33,995 participants in rural China aged 40 or older with hypertension, split participants into two groups. 

One group received an average of three anti-hypertensive medications (such as ACE inhibitors) to ensure their blood pressure stayed down. This group also had coaching on how to monitor their blood pressure at home, as well as lifestyle changes to help keep blood pressure down (including reducing alcohol and salt intake, as well as weight loss). The other group received only coaching and a more typical level of treatment provided in the region (an average of one medication rather than three).

A follow-up appointment 48 months later involved participants having their blood pressure tested, as well as using standard questionnaires to measure any signs of cognitive impairment. Concerns about hypertension begin when blood pressure is higher than 130/80. Of those who took part in the research, those in group one dropped from an average of 157/87.9 to 127.6/72.6, compared to the second group who went from an average of 155.4/87.2 to 147.7/81. 

Those who took part in the study and were given multiple medications received fewer diagnoses of dementia (15%) and cognitive impairment (16%).

Dementia currently affects around 1 in 11 people over 65 in the UK, with an estimated 944,000 people living with dementia. While this could be great news in helping prevent dementia and cognitive impairment, researchers remind us that multiple factors can influence how our brains continue to function as we age.

Other known risk factors for an increased risk of dementia include high LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), hearing loss, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, and smoking. Social isolation, air pollution, and visual loss are also among factors that may increase the risk of dementia, according to the international medical journal The Lancet. It’s important to look after your health at every life stage, to do our best to decrease the risk of dementia.

Decreasing blood pressure without or alongside medication

There are other factors that can help you to lower your blood pressure (and cholesterol, which is often interconnected and has shown links to an increased risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s) alongside medication to help reduce your risk of developing dementia and cognitive impairment. These include:

Changes to your diet: Reducing how much red meat, high-fat dairy, and fried foods you eat can be a good first step. Registered Dietitian, PgDip (Merit), BSc (Honours), MBDA, Rania Salman, explains more about how you can eat your way to lower cholesterol.

“Opt for unsaturated fats over saturated and trans fats. Unsaturated fats, found in most vegetable oils, are beneficial for heart health. Incorporating sources of healthy fats such as oily fish, nuts, seeds, and certain vegetables into your diet can have a positive impact on cholesterol levels. Making these substitutions can contribute to lower cholesterol levels.”

Increasing how much fibre you consume, reducing your alcohol consumption, and incorporating more fruits, vegetables and wholegrains in your diet can all also help.

Exercising regularly: Regular exercise can help lower high blood pressure while promoting better heart health. The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. Aerobic exercises (walking, jogging, swimming, cycling) are recommended to help lower blood pressure, and research suggests that isometric exercises (wall squats, planks) could be particularly effective in lowering blood pressure. 

Staying hydrated: Drinking enough water can help manage high blood pressure. When we are dehydrated, our blood volume decreases, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure. While drinking water supports healthy blood pressure, it doesn’t lower your blood pressure unless you’re dehydrated. However, one study revealed just 24% of us drink a litre or more of water per day. Previous studies have found that the older you are, the less likely you are to stay adequately hydrated.

Ensuring we drink enough water can help with a number of different things. When we don’t drink enough water, we feel more lethargic and fatigued, have trouble concentrating and retaining information, may feel more irritable, depressed or confused, and may be more likely to experience constipation and headaches. 

Nutritionist Resource shares tips on how to increase fluid intake if you struggle to drink enough water. Setting reminders on your phone to regularly drink water can be a small change to help build healthier habits and get you reaching for water instead of tea, coffee, or fizzy drinks. Keeping a water bottle on hand – one that you actually like, is easy to clean, and holds a good amount of water – can help you make healthier choices and save money in the long run (while being better for the environment than buying single-use bottles).

While there’s no magic cure to guarantee the prevention of dementia, it’s encouraging to know that controlling your blood pressure could play a big role in helping keep your brain healthy and sharp. With a little time, habit building, and lifestyle adjustments, we can work towards a healthier mind and body