Antihypertensive medication use and risk of cognitive impairment: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations between classes of antihypertensive medication use and the risk of cognitive impairment among elderly hypertensive men. METHODS: The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study is a prospective, community-based cohort study of Japanese American men conducted in Honolulu, Hawaii. We examined 2,197 participants (mean age 77 years at cohort entry, 1991-1993, followed through September 2010) with hypertension and without dementia or cognitive impairment at baseline, who provided information on medication use. Cognitive function was assessed at 7 standardized examinations using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI). Cognitive impairment was defined as a CASI score 75 years, and those with pulse pressure >/=70 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: beta-blocker use is associated with a lower risk of developing cognitive impairment in elderly Japanese American men.