New research suggests that physical activity might reduce the risk of dementia in older adults with high blood pressure. Earlier studies have indicated that individuals with hypertension face a higher risk of cognitive decline, including dementia, which significantly impairs memory and thinking skills, thus affecting daily functioning.
Researchers at Wake Forest University in the US investigated the impact of physical activity on the risk of mild cognitive impairment, which is a precursor to dementia, in older adults with hypertension. The study revealed that participants who engaged in vigorous physical activity at least once a week exhibited lower rates of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
The researchers observed that nearly 60 per cent of participants aged 50 and older reported engaging in activities that made them sweat and elevated their heart rate and breathing at least once a week.
"It is welcome news that a higher number of older adults are engaging in physical exercise. This also suggests that older adults who recognise the importance of exercise may be more inclined to exercise at higher intensity," said Richard Kazibwe, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the School of Medicine, Wake Forest University.
However, the researchers found the protective impact of vigorous exercise was more pronounced for those younger than 75 years of age.
"While this study provides evidence that vigorous exercise may preserve cognitive function in high-risk patients with hypertension, more research is needed to include device-based physical activity measurements and more diverse participant populations," said Kazibwe, lead author of the study published in Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
The latest is part of the larger 'Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial' (SPRINT) study that showed that intensive control of blood pressure to a target of less than 120 mm Hg reduced the risks of cardiovascular disease and death.
The study involved over 9,300 participants aged 50 and above who had hypertension. They were randomly assigned to either an intensive or standard blood pressure treatment, with the standard treatment aiming to keep systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg. The findings were published in 2015.
In 2019, results of the 'Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial Memory and Cognition in Decreased Hypertension' (SPRINT MIND) study showed that intensively treating blood pressure in older people significantly reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment.
(with PTI inputs)
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