Visit-to-visit variability in blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2018 May;20(5):918-924. doi: 10.1111/jch.13290. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia and one of the leading sources of disability and dependency in the elderly. Given the limited treatment options, understanding the role of modifiable risk factors implied in the disease pathogenesis is a worthwhile endeavor to limit its global burden. Recently, the variability of blood pressure has been suggested to be a significant determinant of brain alterations and a potential therapeutic target. The aim of this article is to review the clinical evidence on the association between visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and Alzheimer's disease, highlight the underlying mechanisms, and suggest future implications.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; blood pressure; blood pressure variability; cognitive impairment; dementia.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology*
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Blood Pressure Determination / methods*
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Risk Factors