Key result
Every 5 mmHg increment in time-weighted average systolic blood pressure over 30 years was associated with a 0.93-year greater brain age at midlife.
Why the study?
High blood pressure is a known risk factor for late-life brain health, but its association with brain health in mid-life remains unclear.
Does elevated blood pressure from early to mid-adulthood increase brain age in mid-life in community-dwelling adults?
Cohort (n=661)
Yes
Does elevated blood pressure from early to mid-adulthood increase brain age in mid-life in community-dwelling adults?
Elevated blood pressure from early to mid-adulthood, even below clinical cut-offs for hypertension, is associated with advanced brain aging and worse cognitive performance in mid-life.
May support earlier BP monitoring; leaves open whether lowering BP slows brain aging.
BACKGROUND: High blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for late-life brain health; however, the association of elevated BP with brain health in mid-life is unclear. METHODS: We identified 661 participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (age 18-30 at baseline) with 30 years of follow-up and brain magnetic resonance imaging at year 30. Cumulative exposure of BP was estimated by time-weighted averages (TWA). Ideal cardiovascular health was defined as systolic BP < 120 mm Hg, diastolic BP < 80 mm Hg. Brain age was calculated using previously validated high dimensional machine learning pattern analyses. RESULTS: Every 5 mmHg increment in TWA systolic BP was associated with approximately 1-year greater brain age (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-1.36) Participants with TWA systolic or diastolic BP over the recommended guidelines for ideal cardiovascular health, had on average 3-year greater brain age (95% CI: 1.00-4.67; 95% CI: 1.45-5.13, respectively). CONCLUSION: Elevated BP from early to mid adulthood, even below clinical cut-offs, is associated with advanced brain aging in mid-life.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dintica et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Elevated blood pressure (n=661). Elevated blood pressure vs. Ideal cardiovascular health (systolic BP <120 mm Hg, diastolic BP <80 mm Hg) was evaluated on Brain age at Year 30 (β 0.93, 95% CI 0.50-1.36). Every 5 mmHg increment in time-weighted average systolic blood pressure over 30 years was associated with a 0.93-year greater brain age at midlife.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: