Controlling high blood pressure can also help reduce the risk of THIS dangerous disease by 15%

Dementia has long been viewed as one of the biggest challenges in ageing populations. With no cure available, prevention becomes the best bet. Now, a study from China and the US has shown that controlling high blood pressure may do more than just protect the heart — it might also protect the brain.


The research involved nearly 34,000 adults aged 40 and above living in rural China. All participants had uncontrolled high blood pressure.


The goal? To test whether more intensive help with managing blood pressure could reduce the risk of developing dementia. And the results were promising. Those who received medication, counselling, and coaching had a 15% lower risk of dementia compared to those receiving standard care.



The evidence of cause and effect

For years, researchers have noticed a connection between high blood pressure and a higher risk of cognitive decline. But until now, most studies only showed an association, not a direct cause.


This new trial, however, offers some of the first real proof that actively lowering blood pressure can help reduce the risk of dementia. It shifts the conversation from speculation to action.


The link between long-term cannabis use and dementia has been highlighted in earlier research. A study showed that extended cannabis use is connected to shrinkage of the hippocampus and reduced cognitive function by midlife, both of which are known risk factors for dementia.



How the study was conducted and what it means

Participants were divided into two groups across 326 villages. One group got routine care — basic advice on diet and lifestyle. The other received regular follow-ups, medication, and step-by-step guidance from trained community health workers aiming for optimal blood pressure levels.


Over a period of four years, those in the intensive-care group saw systolic blood pressure drop by 22 mm Hg and diastolic by 9.3 mm Hg on average. As a result, fewer cases of dementia and cognitive decline were recorded in this group.


This result didn’t just show improvement in numbers — it showed meaningful protection for the brain.


Why this finding matters globally

According to the World Health Organisation, dementia affects around 57 million people worldwide - a number projected to triple by 2050. But nearly half of dementia cases, experts say, could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 key risk factors like obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, social isolation, and high blood pressure.


This study reinforces the idea that dementia isn’t always inevitable. With better management of conditions like hypertension, the risk can be brought down significantly.

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While the findings are hopeful, researchers do acknowledge a few limitations. The study did not test cognitive function at the very start, and it didn’t include participants who already had dementia.


And it’s worth noting that some participants still developed dementia, even after receiving extra care. This suggests that blood pressure control isn’t a complete shield, but rather a powerful protective measure that works best as part of a broader prevention plan.