Dementia is a decline in thinking skills that can significantly impact our daily lives. While it's more common as we age, it is important to know that dementia is not an inevitable part of growing older. In fact, there are proactive steps we can take to help reduce our risk.
Many older adults may not realise that maintaining a healthy lifestyle—such as eating well and staying physically active—can make a difference in our cognitive health. Importantly, studies have also shown that high blood pressure increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Dr. Ruth Peters, lead researcher in this important field, stresses the significance of understanding how we can mitigate our risk as we age. "As we get older, our blood pressure tends to rise and having high blood pressure can negatively affect the blood vessels in our brains," she explains.
According to the 2023 Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly half (45%) of adults aged 75 and over report having hypertension1. This statistic likely underrepresents the true number, as many individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms.
Previous studies indicate that managing and lowering blood pressure in older adults could potentially reduce the risk of dementia by approximately 10-13%2. This is especially crucial considering that dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia. However, more research is needed to specifically test this relationship.
As our population continues to age, understanding how to protect our cognitive health will become increasingly important. The George Institute is embarking on a groundbreaking study to explore whether lowering blood pressure can help safeguard our thinking skills in later life.
The first step involves determining the feasibility of conducting blood pressure-lowering studies and gathering cognitive data remotely. The pilot study, known as RECALL-Pilot, invites adults aged 70 and over to participate. Participants will receive a blood pressure monitor, take a blood pressure medication for 60 days, and complete online cognitive tests.
If you're aged 70 or older and currently do not have a diagnosis of dementia, you may be eligible to participate. To enquire further or register your interest, please visit recall.org.au or contact the study team via email RECALL@georgeinstitute.org.au or phone: +61 2 8052 4438.
[2] Blood pressure lowering and prevention of dementia: an individual patient data meta-analysis - PubMed (nih.gov)
*This study is being coordinated by The George Institute for Global Health, which is affiliated with UNSW Sydney.