THE next time you find yourself forgetful, do not pass it off as part of ageing. While it is commonly believed that memory loss is an inevitable consequence of ageing, medical research has provided physicians with evidence that this deterioration can be reduced and even reversed when appropriate measures are taken.

Blood pressure and cognitive decline

The development of high blood pressure in midlife appears to be an important risk factor for the development of dementia later in life. The presence of poorly controlled high blood pressure is associated with cognitive decline. Prolonged elevation of blood pressure leads to thickening of the blood vessel wall and causes narrowing of the lumen of the microscopic vessels in the brain. Multiple studies on blood pressure lowering in the middle aged showed that blood pressure lowering decreased the incidence of dementia.