Title:Arterial Stiffness, Cognitive Dysfunction and Adherence to Antihypertensive Agents. Is there a Link to Hypertensive Patients?
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Author(s): Rigas G. Kalaitzidis*, Thalia Panagiotopoulou, Dimitrios Stagikas, Kosmas Pappas, Olga Balafa and Moses S. Elisaf
Affiliation:
- Hypertension Excellence Centre, Division of Nephrology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina,Greece
Keywords:
Hypertension, arterial stiffness, cognitive dysfunction, adherence to medication, cardiovascular disease, arterial pressure.
Abstract:
The incidence of hypertension (HTN) and its cardiovascular (CV) complications are increasing
throughout the world. Blood pressure (BP) control remains unsatisfactory worldwide. Medical inertia
and poor adherence to treatment are among the factors that can partially explain, why BP control rate
remains low. The introduction of a method for measuring the degree of adherence to a given medication
is now a prerequisite. Complex treatment regimes, inadequate tolerance and frequent replacements of
pharmaceutical formulations are the most common causes of poor adherence. In contrast, the use of
stable combinations of antihypertensive drugs leads to improved patient adherence.
We aim to review the relationships between arterial stiffness, cognitive function and adherence to medication
in patients with HTN.
Large artery stiffening can lead to HTN. In turn, arterial stiffness induced by HTN is associated with an
increased CV and stroke risk. In addition, HTN can induce disorders of brain microcirculation resulting
in cognitive dysfunction. Interestingly, memory cognitive dysfunction leads to a reduced adherence to
drug treatment. Compliance with antihypertensive treatment improves BP control and arterial stiffness
indices. Early treatment of arterial stiffness is strongly recommended for enhanced cognitive function
and increased adherence.