A recent study by professors from the University of North Carolina seems to indicate that seniors with average systolic blood pressure above 130 mmHg experience decreased mental function during blood pressure spikes.

The 60 day study included 36 adults between the ages of 60 and 87. During this period the participant’s blood pressure and cognitive function was measured using a variety of tests such as Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Task (AVLT), Letter Series, and Number Comparison. Individuals with high blood pressure (in this case a systolic of greater than 130 mmHg) performed worse in the tests, specifically those related to inductive reasoning, than the participants with normal or low blood pressure. This was especially true when their blood pressure was even higher than normal. Researchers believe there may be a tie between stress, rising blood pressure and a decrease in cognitive function among those with high blood pressure.

For more information see http://news.ncsu.edu/news/2008/12/wmsallairebp.php. The study name is “Exploring the Within-Person Coupling of Blood Pressure and Cognition in the Elderly” by Alyssa A. Gamaldo, Sarah R. Weatherbee, Dr. Jason C. Allaire, North Carolina State University. It was published on December 15, 2008, in Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences.