Blood pressure parameters and cognitive decline and dementia after stroke or transient ischemic attack: results from the PROGRESS trial.
Am J HypertensSep 1, 2026
Sultana Shajahan, Mark Woodward, Craig S Anderson et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial analyzed blood pressure parameters in 5128 participants with stroke or transient ischemic attack from the PROGRESS trial. It found that higher mean systolic blood pressure significantly increased the risk of cognitive decline/dementia, with a relative risk of 1.18 (95% CI 1.06-1.31). Other parameters like diastolic blood pressure load also showed strong associations.
Key findings
- 11.1% of participants developed cognitive decline/dementia after a median follow-up of 4 years.
- Mean systolic blood pressure was associated with a relative risk of 1.18 for cognitive decline/dementia.
- Diastolic blood pressure load had a relative risk of 1.23 for cognitive decline/dementia.
- Mean arterial pressure load showed a relative risk of 1.20 for cognitive decline/dementia.
Why it matters
Understanding the relationship between blood pressure parameters and cognitive decline can help clinicians identify at-risk patients and potentially guide interventions to prevent dementia in individuals with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack.