It has been long known that hypertension greatly increases one’s risk of cognitive impairment, including dementia.

A new study out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, suggests that engaging in vigorous physical activity more than once a week can lower that risk.

The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) began in 2009, including over 9,300 participants with hypertension. It revealed that intensive blood pressure management reduced cardiovascular disease and death risk. The NIH ended the trial early to quickly share the significant findings, leading to new blood pressure guidelines.

Then in 2019, the SPRINT MIND trial, led by Wake Forest, showed intensive blood pressure control in older adults reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment. In a secondary analysis, the researchers examined the effect of self-reported vigorous physical activity found that those engaging in vigorous physical activity weekly had lower rates of cognitive impairment and dementia. Nearly 60% of participants, even those 75 and older, reported weekly vigorous activity. However, the protective impact was stronger for those under 75.

The call to action is simple, engage in vigorous physical activity when you’re young and do it often.

R Kazibwe et al. Effect of vigorous-intensity physical activity on incident cognitive impairment in high-risk hypertension. Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13887