Blood-pressure-related risk factors, stroke, and cognitive function: What are the relationships and what can we do about them?

Blood pressure, particularly systolic pressure, is a major risk factor for stroke and cognitive decline. Lowering elevated blood pressure, especially systolic pressure, reduces both initial and recurrent stroke and the occurrence of dementia. This article also reviews the early morning surge in blood pressure, lipids and insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus as additional stroke risk factors, as well as left ventricular hypertrophy.