Researchers have found that intensive help to reduce high blood pressure, such as medication and coaching, can lower the risk of dementia. A study involving 33,995 people with uncontrolled hypertension in rural China found that those who received intensive blood pressure management had a 15% lower risk of developing dementia over four years. This intervention included free or cheap medications, health coaching, lifestyle modifications, and at-home blood pressure monitoring.
The study’s findings suggest that addressing 14 known risk factors for dementia can prevent or delay the condition in up to half of cases. High blood pressure is one of these risk factors, and controlling it has been shown to reduce dementia risk by a significant margin. The researchers emphasize that this effective intervention should be widely adopted to reduce the global burden of dementia.
While the study had its limitations, including a shorter follow-up period than some experts would have liked, the findings provide strong evidence for the importance of managing blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks in preventing dementia. More research is needed to fully understand the impact of this intervention on dementia risk, but the results are promising and suggest that controlling high blood pressure can be an effective strategy for reducing dementia risk.
The study’s authors note that the combination of optimal blood-pressure control and lifestyle changes likely contributed to the reduced dementia risk. However, they also acknowledge that treating high blood pressure was not a guarantee against developing dementia in some individuals. Overall, this research supports the importance of managing cardiovascular risks to protect brain health during aging.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/21/help-to-reduce-high-blood-pressure-lowers-dementia-risk-study-finds