Why the study?
The 2024 ESC guidelines introduced elevated blood pressure as a new category between non-elevated blood pressure and hypertension, but the dementia risk associated with this reclassification remains unclear.
Does elevated blood pressure or hypertension increase the risk of incident dementia in adults aged ≥40 years?
Population
2.8 million adults aged ≥40 years undergoing health screening in 2009 in South Korea
Comparison
Elevated blood pressure or hypertension vs non-elevated blood pressure
Design
Nationwide cohort study
Follow-up
Mean 8.1 years
Key result
Based on 2024 ESC criteria, elevated blood pressure (aHR 1.016; 95% CI 0.996-1.037) and hypertension (aHR 1.029; 95% CI 1.006-1.051) were associated with increased dementia risk versus non-elevated BP.
Authors
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Supports 2024 ESC BP–dementia link in large cohort; leaves open whether BP lowering prevents incident dementia.
Cohort (n=2,800,000)
Yes
Does elevated blood pressure or hypertension increase the risk of incident dementia in adults aged ≥40 years?
Effect estimate: aHR 1.016 (95% CI 0.996-1.037)
The 2024 ESC categories of elevated blood pressure and hypertension are associated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly vascular dementia, supporting early BP management.
Jung et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Dementia (n=2,800,000). Elevated blood pressure and hypertension vs. Non-elevated blood pressure was evaluated on Incident dementia (aHR 1.016, 95% CI 0.996-1.037). Based on 2024 ESC criteria, elevated blood pressure (aHR 1.016; 95% CI 0.996-1.037) and hypertension (aHR 1.029; 95% CI 1.006-1.051) were associated with increased dementia risk versus non-elevated BP.
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