In Case You Haven't Heard…

Lowering blood pressure could cut the risk of developing a brain disorder that can lead to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia according to a study published online in JAMA , CBS News reported Jan. 28. One in three American adults have high blood pressure, and only half have it under control. The lead author of the study, Dr. Jeff Williamson of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, called the findings a leap forward. “For the first time in history we can say, in terms of blood pressure lowering treatment, what is good for your heart is also good for your brain,” Williamson said. Researchers followed more than 9,000 people age 50 or older for around three years and found lowering blood pressure more aggressively — getting the systolic blood pressure number below 120 — led to a 19 percent decrease in mild cognitive impairment compared to a less aggressive treatment with a number of 140. Researchers didn't see the same effect for dementia, saying there were not enough cases in the study. Because of this, the Alzheimer's Association is going to help fund the study for another two years. This gives doctors something tangible to discuss with patients who are concerned about changes in mental function.