Journal article
Impact of Hypertension on Cognitive Function: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979), Vol.68(6), pp.e67-e94
12/2016
DOI: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000053
PMCID: PMC5361411
PMID: 27977393
Abstract
Age-related dementia, most commonly caused by Alzheimer disease or cerebrovascular factors (vascular dementia), is a major public health threat. Chronic arterial hypertension is a well-established risk factor for both types of dementia, but the link between hypertension and its treatment and cognition remains poorly understood. In this scientific statement, a multidisciplinary team of experts examines the impact of hypertension on cognition to assess the state of the knowledge, to identify gaps, and to provide future directions.
Authors with relevant expertise were selected to contribute to this statement in accordance with the American Heart Association conflict-of-interest management policy. Panel members were assigned topics relevant to their areas of expertise, reviewed the literature, and summarized the available data.
Hypertension disrupts the structure and function of cerebral blood vessels, leads to ischemic damage of white matter regions critical for cognitive function, and may promote Alzheimer pathology. There is strong evidence of a deleterious influence of midlife hypertension on late-life cognitive function, but the cognitive impact of late-life hypertension is less clear. Observational studies demonstrated a cumulative effect of hypertension on cerebrovascular damage, but evidence from clinical trials that antihypertensive treatment improves cognition is not conclusive.
After carefully reviewing the literature, the group concluded that there were insufficient data to make evidence-based recommendations. However, judicious treatment of hypertension, taking into account goals of care and individual characteristics (eg, age and comorbidities), seems justified to safeguard vascular health and, as a consequence, brain health.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Impact of Hypertension on Cognitive Function: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
- Creators
- Costantino IadecolaKristine YaffeJosé BillerLisa C BratzkeFrank M FaraciPhilip B GorelickMartha GulatiHooman KamelDavid S KnopmanLenore J LaunerJane S SaczynskiSudha SeshadriAdina Zeki Al Hazzouri
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979), Vol.68(6), pp.e67-e94
- Publisher
- United States
- DOI
- 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000053
- PMID
- 27977393
- PMCID
- PMC5361411
- ISSN
- 0194-911X
- eISSN
- 1524-4563
- Grant note
- R01 NS017950 / NINDS NIH HHS R37 NS089323 / NINDS NIH HHS K01 AG047273 / NIA NIH HHS P30 AG010129 / NIA NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2016
- Academic Unit
- Cardiovascular Medicine; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984040201202771
Metrics
15 Record Views