The association between blood pressure components and cognitive functions and cognitive reserve.

Objective: Hypertension exerts a subtle impact on the brain that is revealed by diminished cognitive function. This study aimed at evaluating the association between blood pressure components and cognitive functions and cognitive reserve.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 500 subjects from general population were evaluated. All neuropsychological tests were negatively associated with age; memory and executive function were also positively related with education.

Results: The hypertensives (HT) were less efficient than the normotensives (NT) in the test of memory with interference at 10 s (MI-10) (-32%, p = 0.043), clock drawing test (CLOX) (-26%, p < 0.001), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (-7.4%, p = 0.02). Lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were predicted by higher systolic (OR, 0.94, p = 0.032; OR 0.96, p < 0.001; OR 0.94, p < 0.001) and higher pulse pressure (BP) (OR 0.95, p = 0.04; OR 0.97, p < 0.001; and OR 0.92, p < 0.001). The cognitive reserve index (CRI) was 8% lower in the HT (p = 0.04) and was predicted by higher pulse BP (OR 0.86, p < 0.001). The BP vectors of lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were directed towards higher values of systolic and diastolic BP, that of low CRI towards higher systolic and lower diastolic.

Conclusion: This study contributes to the belief that a link exists between BP and cognition, higher values of systolic BP being associated to impaired cognitive function.