Higher Visit-to-Visit BP Variability Is Associated with Worse Cognition

Visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability is associated with elevated risk for carotid atherosclerosis, white matter changes, and stroke in older adults. In this prospective study, investigators in the Netherlands assessed the association between visit-to-visit BP variability and cognitive function among about 5500 elders (mean age, 75) without cognitive impairment — but with cardiovascular disease or risk factors — at baseline. Blood pressure was measured every 3 months. Visit-to-visit BP variability was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of BP measurements during the study.

During an average follow-up of 3.2 years, average systolic BP was 153 mm Hg (mean SD, 15 mm Hg), and average diastolic BP was 82 mm Hg (mean SD, 7 mm Hg). Adju…