United States: A new medical research study appearing in Neurology finds that brief intensive blood pressure management leads to permanent improvements in senior neurological well-being. Three years of blood pressure management toward a 120 mmHg systolic value produces enduring protection against mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia regardless of when patients stop receiving treatment, as reported by HealthDay.
Systolic pressure, the upper number in a blood pressure reading, measures the force of blood against artery walls when the heart beats. Research shows that decreased systolic blood pressure leads to heart health benefits that extend to improved brain functionality in senior citizens.
Research Findings and Expert Insights
Dr. Jeff Williamson, senior researcher and professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of intensive blood pressure control in preventing cognitive decline. “Lower blood pressure can improve quality of life and help seniors remain active, particularly when we set a higher target goal,” he explained.
SPRINT Trial: A Landmark Study
In 2015 the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) published initial results demonstrating how stringent blood pressure management reduced heart disease mortality at rates reaching from 30–40%. Participants received medical care for blood pressure control either at 120 systolic or 140 systolic during the trial.
Long-Term Benefits of Intensive Blood Pressure Control
Research outcomes from SPRINT demonstrate that patients managed under intensive blood pressure control faced reduced risks of MCI development at 13% while lowering their susceptibility to MCI and dementia by 11%. People who received treatment maintained brain function benefits beyond their treatment period for a median duration of six years ten months, as reported by HealthDay.
Implications for Blood Pressure Guidelines
Current guidelines classify blood pressure readings of 120 or less as normal, 120–129 as elevated, and 130 or higher as high blood pressure. These recommendations, partly based on SPRINT results, were adopted by major heart health organizations in 2017.