People with high blood pressure, take note! Exercising like this once a week can lower your risk of dementia.

Attention High Blood Pressure Patients! Exercising Like This Once a Week Can Reduce Your Risk of Dementia

 

High blood pressure increases the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Research suggests that engaging in vigorous exercise at least once a week is essential to reduce this risk.

 

According to a study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, regular vigorous physical exercise may help preserve cognitive abilities.

 

Researchers at Wake Forest University analyzed a data set of 9,361 American adults. All participants were over 50 years old, had no diabetes, and were at high risk for high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Six out of ten participants met the criteria for at least one vigorous exercise session per week. Vigorous exercise is defined as a significant increase in heart rate and breathing rate. Jogging meets this criteria, but a leisurely stroll does not.

The study found that participants who engaged in vigorous physical exercise at least once a week had a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Only 8.7% of this group developed mild cognitive impairment and dementia, compared to 11.7% of participants in the non-vigorous exercise group. However, the protective effect of exercise was not as strong after age 75.

 

"We know that physical exercise offers many benefits, including lowering blood pressure, improving heart health, and potentially delaying cognitive decline," said Dr. Richard Kazibwe of Wake Forest University. "However, the amount and intensity of exercise needed to preserve cognitive function is unknown."

 

“This study provides evidence that vigorous exercise may preserve cognitive function in high-risk patients with hypertension, but further studies are needed to include device-based measures of physical activity and a more diverse group of participants,” he added.