Named unexpected advantage of high pressure

American scientists have shown that high blood pressure in old age is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. Proper research is published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, briefly about it informs EurekAlert!

Doctors have found a link between high blood pressure, especially if it has evolved in the 80 years of age or older, and a reduced risk of occurrence of dementia after 90 years. By its conclusion, scientists have come, watching 559 people, all of whom were older than 90 years. During examination in about 40 percent of the participants (224 people) were diagnosed with dementia.

Meanwhile, the number of people with this diagnosis was less among those with 80-89 years in the cases of high blood pressure were observed. In comparison with older, who have not recorded such a feature, these people have an average of 42 percent less likely to develop dementia. Among survey participants who have high blood pressure cases began to appear after 90 years, the risk of developing dementia was even less - an average of 63 percent.

"Recent data suggest that some of dementia risk factors may change during the life - said co-author Maria Carrillo. - We have seen similar results in previous studies comparing the body weight and the risk of dementia in older people. "

According to the data obtained by other scientists in 2008 and 2009 excess body weight in old age is also associated with a small risk of developing dementia.

The most likely reason for the existence of the observed relations experts have called the fact that high blood pressure usually occurs in overweight people, can in old age support intensive blood flow in the brain at the appropriate level.