The Effect of Hypertension Grade to Cognitive Function in Elderly

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The incidence of hypertension is found with increasing age. Changes in the structure of blood vessels in hypertension will have an impact on nerve cell function. The degree of hypertension effect in increasing the impaired cognitive function needs to be known. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the effect of the degree of hypertension on cognitive function. Methods: A cross-sectional study design on 63 elderly people was used in this study. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Univariate and bivariate (chi-square) analyses were used to analyze the effect of blood pressure on impaired cognitive function. Result: The results showed that the most of hypertensive patients were male (65.1%), had grade I hypertension (57.1%) and the majority did not have cognitive dysfunction (54%). Analysis of the relationship between the degree of hypertension and cognitive function obtained a significant relationship (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that there is an effect of the degree of hypertension on cognitive function in the elderly. Further research in other locations needs to be done to get a full picture of the relationship.