High Blood Pressure Medicines May Help Fight Dementia

A recent study by the Boson University School of Medicine shows a decrease risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia in those taking certain high blood pressure medicines. There was more of a decrease for those taking Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ABR) drugs, but the study also showed a decrease in those taking Angotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Hypertension or high blood pressure as it is most commonly called; is known to be a factor in vascular dementia. This is where a series of small strokes damages the brain and affects the functionality of the person.

The study on high blood pressure drugs affect on dementia has been published by the British Medical Journal involved over 800,000 individuals over 65 that had heart disease. Most of those included in the study were men. The participants were broken up into groups; those taking the ABRs, those taking ACEs and those taking other medications for heart issues.

High blood pressure is often a result of Angiotensin causing the blood vessels to constrict. ABRs and ACEs work to reduce or block Angiotensin allowing the blood flow to be increased through out the body.

ABRs drugs block the action of Angiotensin. They are commonly used to treat hypertension. Some of the most commonly prescribed ABRs are: Atacand (Candesartan), Avapro (Irbesatan), Cozaar (Losartan) and Diovan (Valsartan).

ACEs drugs work to lower blood pressure by reduce the production of Angiotension. Common ACE drugs are: Lisinopril, Lotensin (Benazepril), Vasotec (Enalapril) and Altace (Ramipril).

The results from this study showed that those taking ABRs had less chance of developing dementia and saw less deterioration in those that did develop Alzheimer’s Disease than those on other high blood pressure or heart medications. Those on ACEs showed positive results similar to the ABRs, but to a lesser degree.

For those taking a combination of an ABR and ACE drugs seem to gain benefits from both types of high blood pressure medications. These participates in the study showed the greatest decrease in risk of developing dementia or the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease for those that did develop it.

While both ABR and ACE drugs work differently to reduce the effect of Angiotensin, both types of medicines reduce the constriction of the blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more easily to the brain and that is why the researchers feel that both types of drugs help in reducing the risk and impact of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.

More studies and clinical trails need to be performed on these high blood pressure medications and their affect on developing dementia. These results do offer some hope for those that may be at a risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia due to the damage uncontrolled blood pressure can do to the brain.

Written by Denise Clay
For Huliq

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