Abstract
Objective:
We investigated the relation of hypertension to cognitive performance
and its interplay with key markers of cognitive reserve in a large
sample of older adults.
Method: We assessed tests of immediate
and delayed cued recall and working memory in 701 older adults. We
measured systolic blood pressure and interviewed individuals on their
education, past occupation, and cognitive leisure activity.
Results:
Hypertension (≥140 mmHg) was related to lower performance in all three
cognitive measures. Moderation analyses suggested that these relations
were reduced in individuals with greater engaging in cognitive leisure
activity. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that hypertension was
not related to any of the three investigated cognitive performance
measures when education, cognitive level of job, and cognitive leisure
activity were simultaneously taken into account.
Discussion: The
detrimental influences of hypertension on cognitive functioning in old
age may be reduced in individuals with greater cognitive reserve
accumulated during the life course.
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