High Blood Pressure Blamed for Walking Problems

Ivanhoe Newswire
Wednesday, August 2, 2006; 12:00 AM

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- As people get older, their ability to walk declines. It's a problem that's associated with dementia and even death. Now, researchers say high blood pressure may be a factor that contributes to a decline in walking ability in older adults.

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago studied more than 800 older Catholic clergy members without dementia or Parkinson's. At the beginning of the study, doctors measured the participants' blood pressure and recorded incidents of vascular disease and diabetes. The researchers also assessed the cognitive function and medication use of the study participants.

Results revealed a 10-mmHg (millimeters in mercury) increase in systolic blood pressure (the upper number in a reading) was associated with a greater decline in lower limb function. Researchers say diabetes, vascular diseases, or cognition did not impact the association. On average, lower limb function declined about 29-percent faster in people with a systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHG compared to people with a normal systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHG.

Dr. Raj Shah, M.D., Medical Director of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center's Memory Clinic, concludes, "After memory loss, the biggest concern of older individuals is loss of mobility. If high blood pressure is impacting gait, it is a risk factor that possibly can be controlled in order to help people stay active as they age."

SOURCE: Rush University Medical Center, published Aug. 1, 2006