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SYDNEY, NSW / The Australian / Nation / January 28, 2009
Adam Cresswell, Health editor
HIGH blood pressure has been overlooked as a potential trigger for dementia, and many cases ofAlzheimer's and other diseases could be avoided if elderly people managed their heart health better.
That is the message from one of Australia's foremost Alzheimer's researchers, who says evidence in recent years linking high blood pressure to dementia has yet to be taken seriously by doctors or patients.
Michael Valenzuela, who won an Australian Museum Eureka Prize in 2006 for his work on Alzheimer's, said yesterday that elderly people should have their blood pressure tested by their GP at least once a year. If it was too high -- defined as a reading of 140/90 or above -- they should aim to bring it down with improved diet and more exercise.
"There are some very alarming figures of how common hypertension is in elderly Australians -- up to 70 per cent in the latest very large survey," Dr Valenzuela said.
"The main message is that the link between hypertension and dementia is very strong, and I think it's been overlooked -- and we need to look at that.
"By reducing hypertension, we can also reduce the risk of dementia."
A new book by Dr Valenzuela, subtitled
"The latest medical thinking on what you can do to avoid dementia", will be launched next week.
One of its two core themes is that heart health is inextricably linked to good brain health. As a result, the advice to eat healthily and exercise daily is as valid for mental as for physical wellbeing.
The book cites a European study of more than 4600 people aged over 60 that found those whose blood pressure was lowered with drug therapy had a 50per cent lower rate of dementia -- both Alzheimer's and another type called vascular dementia, known to be caused by poor blood supply.
The other theme is based on Dr Valenzuela's own research, which has found dementia risk can be reduced by keeping the brain active.
Dr Valenzuela won his Eureka Prize after conducting a review of previous research involving 26,000 individuals.
He showed that people with a history of complex brain activity were 46 per cent less likely to develop dementia.
Alzheimer's Australia NSW chief executive John Watkins said dementia was a terrible disease and that few Australians realised they could take simple steps to reduce their risk.
"There hasn't been a lot of research into dementia," the former state deputy premier said. "It's having a major effect on our society, but we don't know what's causing it.
"There's a level of anxiety about dementia, and a level of stigma. If we can say you can prevent it if you take these steps, that's quite a positive thing to be able to tell people."
Neurologist Graeme Hankey, head of the stroke unit at Royal Perth Hospital, agreed with Dr Valenzuela's recommendation that elderly people have their blood pressure tested regularly.
"High blood pressure is so treatable. The problem is you don't know it's causing you harm until it's too late. The message is: go and get it checked," Professor Hankey said. "It's quite easy to lower it, by not adding salt to food, getting your weight down, cutting back on alcohol and eating more fruit and vegetables."
Copyright 2009 News Limited
___________________________________________
Related Report
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW media release of January 27, 2009:
Reducing high blood pressure decreases incidence of dementia
Treating high blood pressure may reduce the incidence of dementia by up to 50 per cent, according to a new scientific review of international research.
The review by Dr Michael Valenzuela, a Research Fellow at the School of Psychiatry, University of NSW, draws a significant medical link between “a healthy heart and a healthy brain”.
Dr Michael Valenzuela has brought together more than 10 years of global clinical research, population studies, experimental evidence and biological theory, to argue that there are direct links between heart disease risk factors and developing dementia.
Dr Valenzuela cites the European SYST-EUR trial (Systolic Hypertension in Europe Trial) as central to his findings.
The European SYST-EUR was a rigorously conducted randomized control trial that involved 4,695 individuals over the age of 60 with high blood pressure.
The trial, found an anti-hypertensive medication, reduced the incidence of dementia by 50 per cent in both Alzheimer’s Dementia and Vascular Dementia.
This statistically significant result was confirmed in a separate follow-up report four years later. Emerging dementia research in the United States and Europe, and Australia further support the finding.
“After 100 years of research into clinical risk reduction for dementia, we finally seem to have found an effective medical weapon – that of blood pressure tablets,” Dr Valenzuela says.
This groundbreaking medical finding can be found in Dr Michael Valenzuela’s new book – “It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Mind”, published by ABC Books and now available throughout Australia.
Dr Michael Valenzuela states in his new book - all the same recommendations for avoiding cardiovascular disease apply to keeping the brain healthy as well.
“So the number one thing a person can do to help prevent dementia is to have your blood pressure checked regularly and if it is high take the right measures to bring it under control,” Dr Michael Valenzuela states.
“At present, around 70 per cent of older people (from the age of 65) in Australia have high blood pressure.* And one in four over the age of eighty has dementia,” Mr John Watkins, Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, said.
“About 230,000 people across Australia already have dementia and this number is predicted to double by 2020. The findings from this clinical trial bring enormous hope in the fight against the predicted dementia epidemic,” Mr John Watkins added.
Mr Watkins urges anyone with high blood pressure, irrespective of their age, to read Dr Valenzuela’s book and follow these recommendations:
o Get your blood pressure (BP) checked annually
o If your BP is too high, start with lifestyle changes (as detailed below) and then, if required, trial medication with your GP.
o Ensure your weight range is within the healthy Body-to-Mass Index (BMI).
o Exercise regularly
o Quit smoking immediately
o Maintain a healthy balanced diet, with plenty of brain and heart-friendly food.
o Have your cholesterol checked
o Have your blood sugar checked
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is the peak body for people with dementia and their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information.
Currently 220,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to double by 2030, taking more lives than cancer and heart disease.
It's Never Too Late to Change Your Mind
Dr Michael J. Valenzuela
Paperback Book
$29.95
ABC Bookshop
Michael Valenzuela, who won an Australian Museum Eureka Prize in 2006 for his work on Alzheimer's, said yesterday that elderly people should have their blood pressure tested by their GP at least once a year. If it was too high -- defined as a reading of 140/90 or above -- they should aim to bring it down with improved diet and more exercise.
"There are some very alarming figures of how common hypertension is in elderly Australians -- up to 70 per cent in the latest very large survey," Dr Valenzuela said.
"The main message is that the link between hypertension and dementia is very strong, and I think it's been overlooked -- and we need to look at that.
"By reducing hypertension, we can also reduce the risk of dementia."
A new book by Dr Valenzuela, subtitled "The latest medical thinking on what you can do to avoid dementia", will be launched next week.
One of its two core themes is that heart health is inextricably linked to good brain health. As a result, the advice to eat healthily and exercise daily is as valid for mental as for physical wellbeing.
The book cites a European study of more than 4600 people aged over 60 that found those whose blood pressure was lowered with drug therapy had a 50per cent lower rate of dementia -- both Alzheimer's and another type called vascular dementia, known to be caused by poor blood supply.
The other theme is based on Dr Valenzuela's own research, which has found dementia risk can be reduced by keeping the brain active.
Dr Valenzuela won his Eureka Prize after conducting a review of previous research involving 26,000 individuals.
He showed that people with a history of complex brain activity were 46 per cent less likely to develop dementia.
Alzheimer's Australia NSW chief executive John Watkins said dementia was a terrible disease and that few Australians realised they could take simple steps to reduce their risk.
"There hasn't been a lot of research into dementia," the former state deputy premier said. "It's having a major effect on our society, but we don't know what's causing it.
"There's a level of anxiety about dementia, and a level of stigma. If we can say you can prevent it if you take these steps, that's quite a positive thing to be able to tell people."
Neurologist Graeme Hankey, head of the stroke unit at Royal Perth Hospital, agreed with Dr Valenzuela's recommendation that elderly people have their blood pressure tested regularly.
"High blood pressure is so treatable. The problem is you don't know it's causing you harm until it's too late. The message is: go and get it checked," Professor Hankey said. "It's quite easy to lower it, by not adding salt to food, getting your weight down, cutting back on alcohol and eating more fruit and vegetables."
Copyright 2009 News Limited
___________________________________________
Related Report
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW media release of January 27, 2009:
Reducing high blood pressure decreases incidence of dementia
Treating high blood pressure may reduce the incidence of dementia by up to 50 per cent, according to a new scientific review of international research.
The review by Dr Michael Valenzuela, a Research Fellow at the School of Psychiatry, University of NSW, draws a significant medical link between “a healthy heart and a healthy brain”.
Dr Michael Valenzuela has brought together more than 10 years of global clinical research, population studies, experimental evidence and biological theory, to argue that there are direct links between heart disease risk factors and developing dementia.
Dr Valenzuela cites the European SYST-EUR trial (Systolic Hypertension in Europe Trial) as central to his findings.
The European SYST-EUR was a rigorously conducted randomized control trial that involved 4,695 individuals over the age of 60 with high blood pressure.
The trial, found an anti-hypertensive medication, reduced the incidence of dementia by 50 per cent in both Alzheimer’s Dementia and Vascular Dementia.
This statistically significant result was confirmed in a separate follow-up report four years later. Emerging dementia research in the United States and Europe, and Australia further support the finding.
“After 100 years of research into clinical risk reduction for dementia, we finally seem to have found an effective medical weapon – that of blood pressure tablets,” Dr Valenzuela says.
This groundbreaking medical finding can be found in Dr Michael Valenzuela’s new book – “It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Mind”, published by ABC Books and now available throughout Australia.
Dr Michael Valenzuela states in his new book - all the same recommendations for avoiding cardiovascular disease apply to keeping the brain healthy as well.
“So the number one thing a person can do to help prevent dementia is to have your blood pressure checked regularly and if it is high take the right measures to bring it under control,” Dr Michael Valenzuela states.
“At present, around 70 per cent of older people (from the age of 65) in Australia have high blood pressure.* And one in four over the age of eighty has dementia,” Mr John Watkins, Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, said.
“About 230,000 people across Australia already have dementia and this number is predicted to double by 2020. The findings from this clinical trial bring enormous hope in the fight against the predicted dementia epidemic,” Mr John Watkins added.
Mr Watkins urges anyone with high blood pressure, irrespective of their age, to read Dr Valenzuela’s book and follow these recommendations:
o Get your blood pressure (BP) checked annually
o If your BP is too high, start with lifestyle changes (as detailed below) and then, if required, trial medication with your GP.
o Ensure your weight range is within the healthy Body-to-Mass Index (BMI).
o Exercise regularly
o Quit smoking immediately
o Maintain a healthy balanced diet, with plenty of brain and heart-friendly food.
o Have your cholesterol checked
o Have your blood sugar checked
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is the peak body for people with dementia and their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information.
Currently 220,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to double by 2030, taking more lives than cancer and heart disease.
It's Never Too Late to Change Your Mind
Dr Michael J. Valenzuela
Paperback Book
$29.95
ABC Bookshop
