The Syst-Eur study found that active treatment with nitrendipine, enalapril, and/or hydrochlorothiazide reduced the rate of dementia by 50% compared with placebo (p=0.05). The PROGRESS study showed that active treatment with perindopril and indapamide was associated with reduced cognitive decline compared with placebo (risk ratio 19%, p=0.01). In contrast, the SCOPE study (candesartan or hydrochlorothiazide vs placebo) and the SHEP trial (chlorthalidone, atenolol, or reserpine vs placebo) found no significant difference between the active treatment and placebo groups on the incidence of dementia.

Key among the changes will be the recommendation of a lower threshold level--around 120 mm Hg systolic and 70 mm Hg diastolic--below which it could be dangerous to reduce blood pressure in high-risk individuals, representing the so-called J-curve phenomenon,

Lowering blood pressure should be a priority for anyone who is suffering from hypertension. Though there are usually few physical symptoms and you may feel fine, high blood pressure will, over time, accumulate damage in the body that can eventually lead to a number of serious medical conditions, including: heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and more. Instead of having to turn to expensive medications, there are a variety of things you can do on your own to start lowering blood pressure without pills.