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High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy is Linked to Cognitive Problems Later in Life

High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy is Linked to Cognitive Problems Later in Life

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Highlights:
  • High blood pressure during pregnancy is a risk factor for cognitive decline later in life, according to a study by the American Academy of Neurology
  • Preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder that affects the kidneys and other organs during pregnancy, may increase the risk of cognitive decline even more than gestational high blood pressure
  • Managing and monitoring blood pressure during and after pregnancy is essential for brain health later in life
High blood pressure disorders during pregnancy can increase the risk of thinking problems later in life, suggested a new study published in the medical journal Neurology. Researchers found that those who experienced these disorders during pregnancy had a higher risk of cognitive problems in later life compared to those who did not have high blood pressure during pregnancy. The study also found that individuals with preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure that occurs halfway through pregnancy, may have an even greater risk of cognitive decline in later life compared to those with gestational high blood pressure, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy that does not affect the kidneys or other organs.

Preeclampsia May Pose Greater Risk for Cognitive Problems than Other Pregnancy-Related High Blood Pressure Disorders

The study, conducted by Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, involved 2,239 female participants with an average age of 73. Participants took nine memory and thinking tests every 15 months over an average of five years, measuring skills such as global cognition, processing speed, executive function, language, and visual perception. Those with high blood pressure during pregnancy had a greater decline than those without high blood pressure during pregnancy and those who had not given birth on tests of global cognition, attention, executive function, and language.

Implications for Managing High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

The study suggests that managing and monitoring blood pressure during and after pregnancy is essential for brain health later in life. However, it's important to note that most of the participants were white, so results may not be generalizable to more diverse populations that have higher rates of high blood pressure in pregnancy.
The American Academy of Neurology, the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, funded the study. They are dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care and recommend that individuals follow Brain & Life on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about brain health.

Source-Medindia


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