Korede Abdullah in Lagos
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has shed new light on the complex relationship between sleep duration, high blood pressure, and cognitive decline.
The study found that individuals with high blood pressure who slept for shorter durations were more likely to show poor cognitive function and increased levels of markers for brain aging and injury.
According to Matthew Pase, PhD, associate professor at Monash University and the study’s author, “The results underscore the importance of having healthy blood pressure levels and prioritizing adequate sleep to maintain a healthy brain into old age.”
The study analysed data from 682 individuals over 40 years of age enrolled in the Framingham Health Study. The researchers collected sleep data using a questionnaire and a home-based sleep study and measured daytime blood pressure.
They found that sleep duration influenced cognitive function and brain imaging markers only in individuals with high blood pressure.
Specifically, among individuals with high blood pressure, shorter sleep duration was associated with deficits in executive function and higher levels of brain imaging markers for aging and tissue injury.
The study’s findings suggest that shorter sleep duration interacts with high blood pressure to increase the risk of poor cognitive function and greater brain injury.
Pase emphasized, “Doctors should be reminded to check patients’ blood pressure levels regularly and manage high blood pressure appropriately.
“Similarly, the medical world is now starting to appreciate the importance of good sleep, and getting good sleep should be considered part of a healthy lifestyle.”
However, the study’s observational nature means that it does not establish a causal relationship between sleep duration and cognitive health.
The study’s results have implications for the prevention and management of cognitive decline. By identifying individuals with high blood pressure who are at risk of cognitive decline due to shorter sleep duration, healthcare providers can take proactive steps to address these risk factors.
Pase noted, “The study paves the way for early identification of individuals at risk of cognitive decline and randomized trials investigating treatments for normalizing sleep patterns and high blood pressure to prevent or delay cognitive decline.”
However, some experts have raised questions about the study’s findings. Christopher Berg, MD, a board-certified cardiologist, noted that the strength of the findings was unimpressive and that the study’s results may not be generalizable to the broader population.
In conclusion, the study highlights the complex interplay between sleep duration, high blood pressure, and cognitive decline.
While more research is needed to confirm these findings, the study’s results emphasize the importance of prioritizing healthy sleep habits and managing high blood pressure to maintain cognitive health.
