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Researchers
at Columbia University report that high blood pressure after
the age of 65 is not associated with Alzheimer's disease,
although a history of high blood pressure could be a precursor
to vascular dementia, especially in the presence of heart
disease or diabetes.
The seven-year
study included 1,259 dementia-free patients - 731 (58.1 percent)
of whom had a history of high blood pressure associated with
diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
Results
of the study, appearing in Neurology, found the risk of Alzheimer's
disease did not increase in patients with high blood pressure
or heart disease alone.
But for
patients who had both high blood pressure and heart disease,
the risk of developing vascular dementia tripled. And in patients
with high blood pressure and diabetes, the risk was six times
as great.
"Hypertension
after age 65 years is not associated with Alzheimer's disease
and does not adversely affect memory, language, or general
cognitive function," the researchers said. "A history
of hypertension may be an antecedent to (vascular dementia),
particularly in the presence of heart disease or diabetes."
Source:
Alzheimer Week
of May 5, 2002
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