Increased beat-to-beat blood pressure variability is associated with impaired cognitive function
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence has linked visit-to-visit, day-to-day and 24-h ABPM blood pressure variability (BPV) with cognitive impairment. Few studies have, however, considered beat-to-beat BPV. This study, therefore, evaluated the relationship between beat-to-beat BPV and cognitive function among community-dwellers aged 55 years and over. METHODS Data was obtained from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study, which employed random stratified sampling from three parliamentary constituencies within the Klang Valley. Beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) was recorded using non-invasive BP monitoring (Taskforcem, CNSystems). Low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and low-to-high frequency (LF:HF) ratio for BPV were derived using fast Fourier transformation. Cognition was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, and categorized into normal aging, mild impairment and moderate-to-severe impairment. RESULTS Data from 1,140 individuals, mean age (SD) 68.48 (7.23) years, were included. Individuals with moderate-to-severe impairment had higher HF-BPV for systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure compared to individuals within the normal aging group OR (95% CI) = 2.29 (1.62-3.24)] and OR (95% CI) = 1.80 (1.32-2.45)], while HF-SBPV OR (95% CI) = 1.41 (1.03-1.93)] but not HF-DBPV was significantly higher with mild impairment compared to normal aging after adjustments for potential confounders. Moderate-to-severe impairment was associated with significantly lower LF:HF-SBPV OR (95% CI) = 0.29 (0.18-0.47)] and LF:HF-DBPV OR (95% CI) = 0.49 (0.34-0.72)], while mild impairment was associated with significantly lower LF:HF-SBPV OR (95% CI) = 052 (0.34-0.80)] but not LF:HF-DBPV OR (95% CI) = 0.81 (0.57-1.17)], compared to normal aging with similar adjustments. CONCLUSION Higher HF-BPV, which indicates parasympathetic activation, and lower LF:HF-BPV, which addresses sympathovagal balance, were observed among individuals with moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment. Future studies should determine whether BPV could be a physiological marker or modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. GRAPHICS] .
Keywords
Autonomic function, Blood pressure, Blood pressure variability, Cognitive impairment, Dementia, Hypertension
Divisions
medicinedept
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia Long Term Research Grant Scheme [Grant No: LRGS/1/2019/UM/01/1
Publication Title
American Journal of Hypertension
Volume
35
Issue
12
Publisher
Oxford Univ Press
Publisher Location
GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND