Dementia and cognitive decline in adults can be slowed down with certain medications for high blood pressure

High blood pressure is a chronic disease that has spread throughout the  world. Unfortunately, millions of people have to take medication every day to control this problem and have to follow a number of dietary rules.

If left unchecked, this medical problem can lead to heart failure and heart attacks, aneurysms, kidney failure, stroke and even cognitive decline and dementia.

Recent studies show that there is a link between certain drugs for high blood pressure and cognitive function

The number of elderly people suffering from high blood pressure and cognitive decline is quite high. That is why numerous studies have been done on the connection between the two and the impact that drugs have on these medical problems.

According to the latest studies, certain drugs for high blood pressure can have a beneficial effect on memory and can slow down the rate of cognitive decline. The researchers found that the elderly who take ACE (Angiotensin Convertase) antihypertensive pills have a much better memory over time than those who take other types of antihypertensive pills.

Why are these drugs effective?

Because they manage to cross the blood-brain barrier, improving blood circulation in the brain.

The blood-brain barrier is a mixture of proteins that form close bonds, acting as a seal for the brain. These proteins protect the brain from possible harmful substances in the blood, but also block certain beneficial substances, which can slow down the process of cognitive degradation and the appearance of diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.

ACE-type antihypertensives cross this barrier and manage to have beneficial effects on the way the brain works. Thus, according to studies conducted in the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany and Ireland, on 12,900 adults over the age of 50, those who took ACE drugs had a better memory than those who took drugs that they did not cross the blood-brain barrier.

The studies are not complete, given that the researchers did not take into account racial and ethnic differences, and a large part of the participants in the study were men. Given that previous studies have concluded that depending on the genetic heritage the body may respond differently to drugs to lower blood pressure, the effects of drugs on cognitive decline need to be studied.

However, cognitive decline can also be slowed down by a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean one. Start a new food style in your life with the Dahna app, which you can download for free from the AppStore or Google Play.

Source here.