Persistent high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and dementia. Research has found that some pills taken to treat high blood pressure can also slow memory decline in people aged 50 or over.
Patients taking drugs that are able to cross into the brain had better recall for up to three years longer than those on alternatives. Researchers aggregated 14 studies of 12, 849 adults aged 50 plus who were taking blood pressure medication with no history of cognitive decline. Those on ACE inhibitors that cross the blood brain barrier rather than Ramipril which is prescribed as the first choice in the majority of cases, exhibited better memory for up to three years longer than those on pills that cannot cross, but Doctors will prescribe the most appropriate medication based on individual circumstances.
