Lowering blood pressure ‘best’ bet for reducing dementia risk

Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms associated with the progressive deterioration of brain function. Most commonly affecting older people, it can impact memory, how a person thinks and other mental skills. While there is no cure for the devastating condition, there could potentially be ways to prevent it developing.New research, published in the European Heart Journal, ruled there was a ‘significant effect’ in blood pressure treatment lowering the chances of having dementia among older people.As part of the work, a team analysed five existing trials that utilised a range of different blood pressure lowering treatments and followed patients until they developed dementia.Therefore, 28,008 participants with a history of high blood pressure (or hypertension) and an average age of 69 from across 20 countries were studied.On average they were then followed up around four years later.READ MORE: 95% of heart attack survivors report experiencing two symptoms 1 month prior to the event Blood pressure lowering treatments could cut your risk of developing dementia (Image: Getty Images)One of the study’s authors, Doctor Ruth Peters – associate professor at The University of New South Wales Sydney and program lead for dementia in the George Institute’s Global Brain Health Initiative – said blood pressure treatment could therefore be among the ‘best bets’ for preventing dementia.In a media release she said: ‘Our study suggests that using readily available treatments to lower blood pressure is currently one of our ‘best bets’ to tackle this insidious disease.’She explained: ‘Most trials were stopped early because of the significant impact of blood pressure lowering on cardiovascular events, which tend to occur earlier than signs of dementia.’We found there was a significant effect of treatment in lowering the odds of dementia associated with a sustained reduction in blood pressure in this older population.DON’T MISSCan you mix alcohol and statins? NHS issues ‘serious’ health warning to Britons [INSIGHT]Blood clots warning: Four types of drinks to avoid – can cause ‘hardening’ of arteries [EXPERT]A ‘dull ache’ in three areas of the body could signal prostate cancer, expert warns [CANCER] Ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg (Image: Getty Images) Symptoms of dementia (Image: Express.co.uk)The lower number – diastolic pressure – is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you’re over the age of 80).Ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.Things that are known to raise your risk of high blood pressure are:Not eating enough fruit and vegetablesDrinking too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)SmokingBeing aged over 65Having a relative with high blood pressureBeing of black African or black Caribbean descentLiving in a deprived area.