Cognitive Decline and Low Blood Pressure: The Other Side of the Coin

• Published in: Clinical and experimental hypertension (1993) Vol. 30; no. 8; pp. 711 - 719
• Main Authors: Maule, S., Caserta, M., Bertello, C., Verhovez, A., Naso, D., Bisbocci, D., Veglio, F.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Informa UK Ltd 01.01.2008; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: arterial hypertension; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Pressure - physiology; brain; Brain - blood supply; Cardiology. Vascular system; cerebral hypoperfusion; Clinical manifestations. Epidemiology. Investigative techniques. Etiology; Cognition - physiology; Cognition Disorders - epidemiology; Cognition Disorders - physiopathology; cognitive decline; Dementia - epidemiology; Dementia - physiopathology; Humans; hypotension; Hypotension - physiopathology; Hypotension - psychology; Medical sciences; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; Hypertension; arterial hypertension; cerebral hypoperfusion; hypotension; Cardiovascular disease; Arterial pressure; Blood pressure; brain; cognitive decline; Encephalon
• ISSN: 1064-1963; 1525-6006
• DOI: 10.1080/10641960802573344

Low blood pressure has been found to be associated with cognitive decline and dementia in cross-sectional studies. Two mechanisms have been proposed to interpret this association: blood pressure levels decrease during the course of the dementia process, and low blood pressure induces or accelerates cognitive decline by lowering cerebral blood flow. Results of the prospective studies are contradictory. Low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension have been found to predict cognitive impairment in the elderly population in some studies only. While hypotension may play a protective role in healthy elderly people, low blood pressure levels in frail elderly patients with associated diseases may cause cerebral hypoperfusion and accelerate cognitive decline.