BLOOD-PRESSURE, HYPERTENSION, AND AGE AS RISK-FACTORS FOR POOR COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

The relationships of three blood pressure variables (systolic and dias tolic pressures and chronicity of hypertension) and age to cognitive p erformance on the Kaplan-Albert Neuropsychological Test Battery Mere e xplored in a ample of 1,695 stroke-free participants of the Framingham Heat Study. Multiple blood pressure measurements were obtained over f our of five exams extending over 8-10 years. Neuropsychological testin g was conducted 12-14 years after the final blood pressure measurement . Data were subjected to multiple binary logistic regression analyses, and odds ratios were calculated for performance in the lower 50th and 25th percentiles for 10-mmHg increases in diastolic blood pressure, 2 0-mmHg increases in systolic blood pressure, proportion of exams (out of four or five) in which participants were diagnosed as hypertensive, and 10-year increases in age. Blood pressures and chronicity of hyper tension were inversely associated with performance on visual and verba l memory tests of the Kaplan-Albert battery. Age was inversely associa ted with performance on all tests in the battery. Generally, the odds of performing poorly were higher for age than for the blood pressure v ariables. The epidemiological significance of these findings is discus sed in terms of implications for public health and management of hyper tension.