Not Treating This Super-Common Heart Health Issue Is Correlated With up to a 42% Higher Risk of Dementia, According to New Research

When it comes to risk factors for Alzheimer’s and dementia, there's a lot to keep track of: Wildfire smoke and untreated hearing loss are just a couple that have surfaced from recent research. People who suffer from Alzheimer's may experience symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty solving problems, confusion, misplacing items and vision changes.

Unfortunately, A recent study suggests another risk factor to add to the list. It’s quite common, too, affecting roughly 50 percent of men and 44 percent of women. Thankfully, this condition is also very treatable.

Related: Research Says You Can Lower Your Dementia Risk by 33% by Doing This One Thing

The Heart Health Issue That Can Contribute to Dementia Risk

An August 2024 study in Neurology analyzed information from 14 studies that looked at a total of 31,250 participants from all around the world. The average participant was 72 years old. This study found that people with untreated high blood pressure had a 36 percent higher risk for Alzheimer’s than those without high blood pressure and a 42 percent higher risk than those with treated high blood pressure.

Also known as hypertension, this issue can cause a host of problems, but again, is treatable. “High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke and cerebrovascular disease, and yet it can be controlled with medication, reducing a person’s risk of these diseases,” lead author Dr. Matthew J. Lennon, MD, PhD, of the University of New South Wales in Australia said in a press release.

Related: Want to Prevent Heart Disease? A Huge Study Says This Is the Exact Blood Pressure You Should Aim For

But how are high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s correlated? While doctors and scientists have a limited understanding at the moment, the main theory is that high blood pressure damages blood vessels in the brain, which affects a person’s ability to think and remember.

How To Treat High Blood Pressure

Signs of high blood pressure include severe headaches, chest pain, dizziness and more. If you think you may have it, or are worried you’re at risk for it, see a healthcare provider first and foremost. They can determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs. Medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs and calcium channel blockers can help and may be a vital part of hypertension treatment.

Related: The 9 Best Foods for Lowering Blood Pressure—Including One Fruit You Should Never, Ever Skip

You can also help prevent and lower blood pressure with a few lifestyle tweaks. For example, foods for high blood pressure include berries, garlic, whole grains, bananas, nuts, yogurt and yes, dark chocolate. Other tricks for lowering blood pressure include walking in nature, eating more cheese, adding magnesium to your diet and even listening to classical music.

With that in mind, you should always talk to your doctor if you have high blood pressure (and go to regular check-ups to make keep track of it!), as sometimes these lifestyle interventions aren't enough.

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Related: 'I'm a Cleveland Clinic Neuropsychologist—Here's What I Wish Every Woman Knew About Their Risk for Alzheimer's and Dementia'

Sources

• Blood Pressure, Antihypertensive Use, and Late-Life Alzheimer and Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk, Neurology

• Dr. Matthew J. Lennon, MD, PhD, lead author of the study

• 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Alzheimer’s Association

• High Blood Pressure Facts, CDC

• Do People With High Blood Pressure Have a Higher Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease?, American Academy of Neurology

• Blood Pressure and Alzheimer’s Risk: What’s the Connection?, Johns Hopkins Medicine

• Hypertension, WHO