Optimal Blood Pressure for Cognitive Function: Findings from an Elderly African‐American Cohort Study
Author(s) -
Liu Hai,
Gao Sujuan,
Hall Kathleen S.,
Unverzagt Frederick W.,
Lane Kathleen A.,
Callahan Christopher M.,
Hendrie Hugh C.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.12259
Subject(s) - medicine , prospective cohort study , blood pressure , body mass index , cohort , cognition , cohort study , cognitive decline , gerontology , depression (economics) , stroke (engine) , physical therapy , dementia , psychiatry , mechanical engineering , engineering , economics , macroeconomics , disease
Objectives To report the results from a prospective cohort study on the association between blood pressure ( BP ) and cognitive function in elderly A frican Americans. Design Prospective cohort study conducted from 1997 to 2009. Setting Community‐based study in I ndianapolis. Participants African Americans aged 65 years or older (N = 3,145). Measurements At each assessment, participant cognitive function was measured using the C ommunity S creening I nterview for D ementia. Other measurements included BP , height, weight, education level, antihypertensive medication use, alcohol use, smoking, and history of chronic medical conditions. Results Longitudinal assessments (n = 5,995) contributed by 2,721 participants with complete independent variables were analyzed using a semiparametric mixed‐effects model. S ystolic BP ( SBP ) of approximately 135 mmHg and diastolic BP ( DBP ) of approximately 80 mmHg were associated with optimal cognitive function after adjusting for other variables ( P = .02). Weight loss with body mass index < 30.0 kg/m 2 was significantly related to poorer cognitive performance ( P < .001). Older age at first assessment, lower education level; smoking; and history of depression, stroke, and diabetes mellitus were related to worse cognitive function; taking antihypertensive medication and drinking alcohol were associated with better cognitive function. Conclusion High and low BP were associated with poorer cognitive performance. A joint optimal region of SBP and DBP for cognitive function has been identified, which may provide useful clinical information on optimal BP control in cognitive health and lead to better quality of life for elderly adults.