A major new clinical trial has revealed that aggressively treating high blood pressure not only protects the heart but also significantly lowers the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. The groundbreaking four-year study, led by the University of Texas and published in Nature Medicine, tracked nearly 34,000 participants in rural China with high blood pressure.
Researchers found that reducing blood pressure to 130/80 mmHg lowered dementia risk by 15%. When medication was paired with lifestyle coaching, the risk of cognitive decline dropped by 16%. “This is a landmark study with a very large sample size and a robust effect,” said Professor Masud Husain, neurologist at Oxford University.
More: Experts Warn Liver Lovers to Cut Back as Popular Food Could Weaken Your Bones
More: “Doctors Aren’t Trying to Hide It from You” GP Reveals 3 Surprising Reasons Your Cough Won’t Go Away
“It’s a wake-up call to treat high blood pressure intensively, not just to protect the heart but also the brain.” Participants were split into two groups—one receiving standard care and the other given blood pressure medication along with advice on salt, alcohol, and weight management from local health leaders. The latter group saw a notable drop in dementia diagnoses, highlighting the powerful impact of combining medication with simple lifestyle changes.
Professor James Leiper of the British Heart Foundation called the findings a potential turning point. “If similar results are found in other populations, wider use of high blood pressure treatment could be recommended to fight the growing impact of dementia,” he said.
The study also sparked a response from leading experts across the UK. Professor Sir Mark Caulfield from Queen Mary University of London remarked, “This is a really major advance in dementia prevention and will transform global blood pressure guidance.”
Dr Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer’s Society emphasized the broader implications. “Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer,” he said. “This study is one of the first big trials to test whether treating high blood pressure, supported by health coaching, can reduce dementia risk, and the results appear to be promising.”
High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly one in three UK adults. If left untreated, it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cognitive disorders. Prior studies show that untreated hypertension can raise dementia risk by up to 42%, reports the Mirror.
More: Doctor Warns Skipping Breakfast and Dinner Raises Heart Attack Risk Significantly
More: “Eat Mostly Vegan, Plus a Little Fish”: Cutting Back on This One Food May Help You Live to 100
Professor Toby Richards from the University of East London noted the accessibility of blood pressure monitoring. “It’s relatively easy to measure at home, allowing individuals to take control and reduce their risk,” he said.
However, questions remain about how similar interventions could be scaled within healthcare systems like the NHS. In the Chinese trial, coaching was provided by non-medical community figures, something Professor Ian Maidment of Aston University called “challenging” to replicate without structural changes.
Still, he suggested that UK community pharmacists might help fill that role. Experts continue to urge healthy lifestyle choices—like reducing salt, staying active, and managing stress—to manage blood pressure and lower dementia risk.
You Might Also Like:
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly planning big move to mend damaged reputation
- Michelle Obama Breaks Silence on Skipping Trump’s Big Day
- Prince Harry recently claimed that the Royal family took away his security to force him to return
- New Study Finds Blood Pressure Meds May Slash Dementia Risk by 15%
- Trump’s Trade War Could Leave Stores Empty, CEOs Warn in Closed-Door Meeting