In general, the risk of HT, which is defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP)

≥140mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90mmHg [1], increases

with advancing age. In fact, the prevalence of HT in individuals 60 years

and older is double that of those aged 49–59 years.

 

In Framingham study, 90% of all 65-year-old men and women with normal BP later developed HT [2]. This condition carries a very high risk for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) as well as coronary heart disease (CHD) [3]. Dementia is one of the most important neurological disorders in the

elderly.

 

Many studies have identified HT as marker for the pathogenesis of dementia AD and VaD, while longitudinal studies have suggested that HT is associated with a higher incidence of dementia in old age. It has been observed that long-standing HT may lead to severe atherosclerosis and mpaired cerebrovascular autoregulation, which in turn is thought to correlate with dementia [4]. For these reasons, several studies have investigated whether antihypertensive

treatment may retard cognitive decline or dementia [5–9].

 

Although the importance of lowering BP in HT subjects is well known, the relationship between HT and cognitive function is controversial.