Blood pressure drugs reduce dementia risk

Combo of medicine & coaching is found to slash danger by 15%

- BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

BLOOD pressure drugs cut the risk of mental decline and dementia, a landmark study has shown.

A four-year clinical trial has shown that lowering blood pressure to 130/80mmHg reduces the risk of developing dementia by 15%.

The University of Texas study of 33,995 Chinese people looked at the impact of medication and lifestyle coaching on people with high blood pressure.

Half of the patients, all over 40 and with so-far untreated high blood pressure, were given standard care - regular checks and advice on managing the condition.