This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Data Supplement All Versions of this Article: 44/5/631    most recent 01.HYP.0000145858.07252.99v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Elias, P. K. Articles by Budge, M. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Elias, P. K. Articles by Budge, M. M. Related Collections Epidemiology Other hypertension

(Hypertension. 2004;44:631.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.

Scientific Contributions

Blood Pressure-Related Cognitive Decline

Does Age Make a Difference?

From the Department of Psychology (P.K.E., M.F.E., M.A.R), University of Maine, Orono; Statistics and Consulting Unit (P.K.E., M.F.E.), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Boston University, Boston, Mass; Department of Geriatric Medicine (M.M.B), ANU Medical School, The Canberra Hospital, Woden ACT, Australia.

Correspondence to Penelope K. Elias, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. E-mail PElias100{at}aol.com

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures have been inversely related to cognitive performance in prospective and cross-sectional studies. However, in large, community-based samples, these findings have been limited to older adults. In this 20-year longitudinal study, we examined the relationship between baseline blood pressure and cognitive decline for 529 participants using 2 age groups (18 to 46 years and 47 to 83 years). Cognitive performance was measured over multiple examinations with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale from which 4 scores were derived by factor analysis. A 2-stage growth curve method of analysis was used to model cognitive change. Results indicated that higher levels of baseline systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and blood pressure categories as defined by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure were significantly associated with decline in Visualization/Fluid abilities in both younger and older age groups. Young adults are as susceptible to blood pressure-related longitudinal decline in cognitive performance as are older adults.

Key Words: blood pressure • age • arterial hypertension • cognition • prospective studies • risk factors

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. F. Elias, P. K. Elias, G. A. Dore, and M. A. Robbins High-Normal Blood Pressure and Cognition: Supplying the Missing Data Hypertension, July 1, 2008; 52(1): e1 - e2. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Waldstein, S. C. Rice, J. F. Thayer, S. S. Najjar, A. Scuteri, and A. B. Zonderman Pulse Pressure and Pulse Wave Velocity Are Related to Cognitive Decline in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging Hypertension, January 1, 2008; 51(1): 99 - 104. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. F. Elias, M. A. Robbins, M. M. Budge, P. K. Elias, S. L. Brennan, C. Johnston, Z. Nagy, and C. J. Bates Homocysteine, Folate, and Vitamins B6 and B12 Blood Levels in Relation to Cognitive Performance: The Maine-Syracuse Study Psychosom Med, July 1, 2006; 68(4): 547 - 554. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Robbins, M. F. Elias, P. K. Elias, and M. M. Budge Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function in an African-American and a Caucasian-American Sample: The Maine-Syracuse Study Psychosom Med, September 1, 2005; 67(5): 707 - 714. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Minerva BMJ, November 20, 2004; 329(7476): 1246 - 1246. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Staessen and W. H. Birkenhager Cognitive Impairment and Blood Pressure: Quo Usque Tandem Abutere Patientia Nostra? Hypertension, November 1, 2004; 44(5): 612 - 613. [Full Text] [PDF]