Cognition in middle aged adults: A comparison between hypertensives and normotensives

Objective: The American Heart association in December 2016 published a position paper concluding that there was insufficient data to make evidence-based recommendations on the relationship between hypertension and cognition of a person. The aim of the study was to study the effect of increased blood pressure on cognitive function. Methods: A cross sectional study of hypertensives (cases) and normotensive (controls) was done between January 2018 and December 2019. Subjects were recruited by convenience sampling. Subjects who were known cases of hypertension and had been on antihypertensive drug therapy for at least more than six months were considered as cases. Controls were those subjects who were having normal blood pressure and not suffering from any disease known to affect cognition. Out of 413 subjects, data from 388 subjects was used in the study (200 cases, 188 controls). The subjects were allowed to rest for 5 min before measuring their blood pressure. Blood pressure was measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer in the right arm with the subject in seated position. Neuropsychological battery consisted of tests for domains of memory (auditory, visual, spatial), learning ability, attention, visuo-spatial construction, working memory. Results: On the neuropsychological tests, patients with hypertension had lower scores in the different domains. Age, hypertension duration, and educational level were the best predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with hypertension. Conclusion: Middle aged adults with hypertension have reduced cognitive functions as compared to normotensives. (C) 2021 SEH-LELHA. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.