A new study reported that loss of mental function in people over 45 can be linked to high blood pressure. Although some other studies done did not establish any such relationship but one of the larger ones and well conducted studies suggest such a possibility substantially.

The study found that people with high diastolic blood pressure were more apt to have a thinking impairment or memory problems than people with normal diastolic blood pressure readings. High diastolic blood pressure is the bottom of a blood pressure reading.

Every 10 percent increase in the reading saw a 7 percent rise in the likelihood of a person having thinking problems. These findings are the result of an analysis of data resulting from a long term study of 19,836 people.

Dr. Georgios Tsivgoulis, from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, said, "After adjusting for a variety of factors, higher diastolic blood pressure was directly associated with an increased risk of cognitive trouble as seen on standard tests".

He also saw a a possibility in the prevention of cognitive impairment, which can sometimes be a precursor to dementia, by preventing high blood pressure.