Blood Pressure And Heart Disease Drugs May Help Fend Off Dementia, Including Alzheimer's Disease

[HuckleB]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/175793.php

"Research published today on bmj.com reports that angiotensin receptor blockers are associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. These drugs are normally used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease.

In addition, the study concludes that angiotensin receptor blockers appear to offer greater protection against Alzheimer's disease and dementia than other high blood pressure and heart disease medication.

A growing number of people are threatened by dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) as they get older. This has important economic implications since individuals who suffer from either disease can spend long periods of time in nursing homes.

...

The findings indicate that the group on angiotensin receptor blockers was significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or dementia. In addition, they reveal that angiotensin receptor blockers have an additive effect when used in combination with another type of high blood pressure drug (ACE inhibitors). In fact, individuals with existing Alzheimer's disease or dementia who took both medicines were less likely to die early or be admitted to nursing homes.

..."

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A bit of a surprise, but a lead toward further research, anyway.

[kestrel91316]

1. Hmmm. My dearly departed Gramie, who passed at 87 in 1999,

was on blood pressure meds and some sort of heart meds for decades as she got old, and she kept a sharp mind until that last 7 months, and only when the hospital let her get hypoxic (she had pulmonary fibrosis) when she broke her ankle did she lose neurons and her mind, and boy she lost it ALL at that point. BOOM. Nothing gradual about HER dementia.

So maybe there is something to this.

[jwirr]

2. I hope you are right.

[HuckleB]

3. About what?

:shrug:

[jwirr]

4. My mother had dementia and and I take those drugs.

[HuckleB]

5. Ah, well, then I hope that this preliminary information is right.

I can't take any credit or blame.

Take care.

:toast: