Hypertension in pregnancy and in midlife and the risk of dementia: prospective study of 1.3 million UK women.

INTRODUCTION

Midlife hypertension is associated with dementia risk, although uncertainties remain regarding its association with subtypes and regarding the effect of pregnancy-related hypertension on dementia risk.

METHODS

In the Million Women Study, 1,363,457 women (mean age 57) were asked about current treatment for hypertension and hypertension in pregnancy and were followed for first hospital record with any mention of dementia. Cox regression yielded hazard ratios (HRs) adjusted for socioeconomic, lifestyle, and metabolic factors.

RESULTS

With 84,729 dementia cases over 21 years, midlife hypertension was positively associated with dementia (HR 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15 to 1.19); higher for vascular dementia (VaD) (HR 1.50; 95% CI 1.45 to 1.56) than Alzheimer's disease (AD) (HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.98 to 1.04). Hypertension in pregnancy but not in midlife was only weakly associated with dementia (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06).

DISCUSSION

Midlife hypertension is a strong risk factor for dementia, largely through VaD. Hypertension during pregnancy does not appear to materially affect dementia risk.

HIGHLIGHTS

Midlife hypertension was associated with long-term all-cause dementia risk. Midlife hypertension was associated with VaD, not AD. Hypertension in pregnancy has little effect on dementia risk.