Changes in arterial stiffness under blood pressure control are independently associated with cognitive impairment: The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)
Controlling blood pressure aggressively reduced artery stiffness in a way that linked to a 21% lower risk of cognitive decline over a decade.
In the SPRINT PWV substudy (n=614), intensive systolic blood pressure control reduced load-dependent pulse wave velocity (LD-PWV) over 3 years, which was independently associated with a 21% reduction in cognitive impairment risk over 10 years of follow-up. Structural arterial stiffness (T-PWV and S-PWV) continued to rise regardless of BP treatment, highlighting LD-PWV as the mechanistically relevant and modifiable vascular pathway linking intensive BP control to cognitive protection.
What the study was
- Study design
- Secondary analysis of randomized controlled trial (SPRINT PWV substudy)
- Population
- SPRINT trial participants with PWV measures (n=614); 90 cognitive impairment events over 10-year follow-up
- Sample size
- 614
- Category
- Prevention
- Maturity
- Validated
- Journal
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
Why it surfaced
Secondary analysis of a major RCT (SPRINT) with 10-year follow-up. Mechanistic insight into how BP control prevents cognitive impairment via arterial stiffness. Alzheimer's & Dementia journal. Actionable for prevention strategies.
A plain-language summary of published research — not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about your own care.