With the number of individuals affected by cognitive decline expected to rise over the next few decades, investigating its potential causes is of major public health interest. Two new studies published today in the American Journal of Hypertension delve into the connection between hypertension and cognitive decline.
Racial disparity in cognitive and functional disability in hypertension and its mortality
- Researchers assessed the prevalence and racial disparity of subjective cognitive and functional limitations and their impact on mortality in the hypertensive US population. The results show that the prevalence of cognitive and functional disability is larger in the US hypertensive population than the non-hypertensive population, and both are associated with greater mortality. Hypertensive African Americans, who bear the greatest burden of hypertension, carry a disproportionate burden of these limitations.
- Corresponding author: Ihab Hajjar (ihajjar@emory.edu)
Hypertension, Dietary Sodium, and Cognitive Decline: Results from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study
- In this study, the authors investigated the relationships of hypertension, antihypertensive treatment, and sodium intake on cognitive decline in older women. The findings indicate that women with antihypertensive treatment and uncontrolled blood pressure showed the highest risk for developing cognitive decline. Sodium intake did not modify the risk for cognitive decline in women with hypertension or those taking antihypertensive medication.
- Corresponding author: Bernhard Haring (haring_b@ukw.de)
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About the American Journal of Hypertension:
The American Journal of Hypertension is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum for scientific inquiry of the highest standards in the field of hypertension and related cardiovascular disease. The journal publishes high-quality original research and review articles on basic sciences, molecular biology, clinical and experimental hypertension, cardiology, epidemiology, pediatric hypertension, endocrinology, neurophysiology, and nephrology.
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American Journal of Hypertension