Cognitive impairment and the threat of dementia pandemic or the journey of hypertensive patients to self-care deficit

Czech version

Authors: Peter Wohlfahrt
Authors‘ workplace: Pracoviště preventivní kardiologie, IKEM, Praha
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2022; 68(8): 532-536
Category: Review Articles
doi: https://doi.org/10.36290/vnl.2022.112

Overview

In the Czech Republic, due to the population aging, the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction is increasing. Researchers estimate that by 2050 the number of patients with dementia in the Czech Republic will more than double. Since dementia cannot be cured, it is important to prevent the cognitive dysfunction development by influencing modifiable risk factors. Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the main risk factors for the development of cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Elevated blood pressure values in youth are associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline in middle age and with the development of dementia in old age. Blood pressure control in low-risk patients with stage I hypertension reduces the risk of dementia development, including Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, improving the AH control in the population since younghood will be needed to influence the emerging cognitive dysfunction pandemic.

Keywords:

dementia – prevention – arterial hypertension – cognitive dysfunction – blood pressure control

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