Optimal Blood Pressure for Cognitive Function: Findings from an Elderly African-American Cohort Study

Objectives To report the results from a prospective cohort study on the association between blood pressure (BP) and cognitive function in elderly African Americans. Design Prospective cohort study conducted from 1997 to 2009. Setting Community‐based study in Indianapolis. Participants African Americans aged 65 years or older (N = 3,145). Measurements At each assessment, participant cognitive function was measured using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia. Other measurements included BP, height, weight, education level, antihypertensive medication use, alcohol use, smoking, and history of chronic medical conditions. Results Longitudinal assessments (n = 5,995) contributed by 2,721 participants with complete independent variables were analyzed using a semiparametric mixed‐effects model. Systolic BP (SBP) of approximately 135 mmHg and diastolic BP (DBP) of approximately 80 mmHg were associated with optimal cognitive function after adjusting for other variables (P = .02). Weight loss with body mass index