Arterial Hypertension: A Cause of Cognitive Impairment and of Vascular Dementia

• Published in: Clinical and experimental hypertension (1993) Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 277 - 285
• Main Authors: Paglieri, Cristina, Bisbocci, Daniela, Di Tullio, Maria Antonietta, Tomassoni, Daniele, Amenta, Francesco, Veglio, Franco
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Informa UK Ltd 01.05.2004; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Arterial hypertension; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cerebral infarction; Cerebrovascular disease; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Cognitive impairment and dementia; Dementia, Vascular - etiology; Humans; Hypertension - complications; Intracerebral hemorrhage; Medical sciences; Hypertension; Cerebral infarction; Nervous system diseases; Vascular dementia; Cardiovascular disease; Hemorrhage; Intracerebral hemorrhage; Cerebral disorder; Vascular disease; Arterial hypertension; Cognitive impairment and dementia; Central nervous system disease; Cerebrovascular disease
• ISSN: 1064-1963; 1525-6006
• DOI: 10.1081/CEH-120034134

Arterial hypertension is a well-documented modifiable risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and for both cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage. Recent studies indicate a relationship between high blood pressure in midlife and dementia in late life and suggest that arterial hypertension may represent a cause of vascular dementia (VaD). This paper has reviewed the main evidence of a link between arterial hypertension and vascular cognitive impairment or VaD. Brain lesions induced by hypertension, diagnostic procedures for early diagnosis of vascular cognitive impairment in at risk subjects and the need to include cognitive assessment in patient's general visits in hypertension units are discussed.