Influence of cardiovascular risk factors on arterial hypertension and mild cognitive impairment in 4602 participants of the ELITE study

BACKGROUND In ELITE (Ernahrung, Lebensstil und individuelle Information zur Verhinderung von Herzinfarkt, Schlaganfall und Demenz; german for: Nutrition, Lifestyle and Individual Information for the Prevention of Heart Attack, Stroke and Dementia) data on cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive function and quality of life are prospectively collected, which will be improved through targeted individual information. The aim is to improve the health of the participants and identify the reasons for the lack of implementation. METHODS Risk factors of 4602 participants were linked to (controlled) hypertension and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Blood pressure was measured according to the guidelines and the DEMTECT- test was used to detect MCI. RESULTS The most common risk factor was hypertension (60%). Hypertensive patients were older (56.1 and 44.7 years), had a higher BMI (28 and 24.8 kg/m), frequently physical inactive (26 and 32.4%), diabetes (9.3 and 1.3%), higher LDL (134.7 and 124.1 mg/dl), higher triglycerides (169.6 and 124.8 mg/dl) and lower HDL (57.9 and 65.5 mg/dl) compared with normotensives (P < 0.001). Controlled hypertensive patients are less common men (46.1 and 52.1%, P < 0.001), have a lower BMI (28.3 and 29.1 kg/m, P < 0.001), lower LDL (129.0 and 135.6 mg/dl, P = 0.004) and lower triglycerides (162.5 and 182.3 mg/dl, P = 0.001) compared with treated uncontrolled hypertensive patients. Antihypertensives per person (2.015; 2.017) do not differ. The prevalence of MCI is highly significantly associated with the number of risk factors. in participants without risk factors, the prevalence is 3.9%, in participants with 4 risk factors, 16.3%. In hypertensive patients, the frequency is 11.8% compared with 4.8% for normotensives (P < 0.001). The occurrence of MCI depends significantly from age, blood pressure and diabetes CONCLUSION:: The frequency of MCI is highly significantly associated with the number of cardiovascular risk factors, regardless of age. The prevalence was particularly high among hypertensive patients, which is not often described. The occurrence of MCI depends significantly from age, blood pressure and diabetes. The metabolic syndrome and lack of exercise complicate blood pressure control.