Certain Blood Pressure Medications Might Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk, Study Finds

Researchers have found a link between untreated hypertension and Alzheimer’s disease.

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Alzheimer’s disease is becoming an increasing health concern in the United States, with projections indicating that the number of people affected could nearly triple by 2060. Concurrently, almost half of all American adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Researchers have found a link between these two conditions, suggesting that certain blood pressure medications might play a role in reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

Untreated Hypertension Increases Alzheimer’s Risk

A recent meta-analysis published in Neurology suggests that older adults, particularly those aged 60 and above, face a “significantly” higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease if their hypertension is untreated.

The analysis involved more than 31,000 participants with an average age of 72, collected from 14 studies across various countries, including the United States, Brazil, China, and France. During an average follow-up period of four years, 1,415 participants developed Alzheimer’s disease.

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After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, and education, researchers found that participants with untreated high blood pressure experienced a 36 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those without hypertension.

They also found that untreated hypertension correlated with a 42 percent increased risk of Alzheimer’s when compared to people who were managing their high blood pressure with medication.

“High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke and cerebrovascular disease, and yet it can be controlled with medication, reducing a person’s risk of these diseases,” Dr. Matthew J. Lennon, psychiatry registrar at the University of New South Wales in Australia and study author, said in a statement.

“These results suggest that treating high blood pressure as a person ages continues to be a crucial factor in reducing their risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Lennon added.

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However, the study authors acknowledged that their research was limited by how definitions of high blood pressure varied by location, which could lead to inconsistencies in diagnosis across the relatively large group of participants.

Previous Research and Supporting Evidence

The findings align with previous research suggesting the importance of maintaining optimal blood pressure levels in older adults for long-term cognitive health.

A four-year study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in November 2023 found that intervention reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 22 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) and lowered the risk of all-cause dementia by 15 percent in people with hypertension.

A meta-analysis published in 2023 in the JAMA Network Open, which included more than 34,000 older adults from 14 studies, found that untreated high blood pressure was linked to a higher risk of dementia compared with those who were treated. Participants receiving treatment showed no significant dementia risk compared to healthy controls.

“The findings indicate that ongoing antihypertensive therapy throughout late life is an important part of dementia prevention,” the study authors wrote.

Mechanisms Behind the Link

There are different ways that blood pressure medication could work to reduce Alzheimer’s risk, Dr. Raveesh Sunkara, a neurosurgeon based in Hyderabad, India, told The Epoch Times in an email. These include:

Blood Pressure Control

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery. By effectively managing blood pressure, hypertension medication can help protect brain tissue and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Inflammation Reduction

Some hypertension medications have anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate inflammation in the brain, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic inflammation can contribute to cell damage and dysfunction.

Vascular Health

Hypertension medication can reduce the risk of strokes and other cerebrovascular events that can contribute to cognitive decline.

“This research reinforces the importance of managing hypertension for both cardiovascular and brain health,” Sunkara said.

While this study provides compelling evidence, further research is needed to establish a definitive causal link and to understand the specific mechanisms involved, Sunkara added. “Randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up studies will be crucial in confirming the benefits of hypertension medication in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.”