Having hypertension related genes may actually help lower risk of developing Alzheimer's

A new study has revealed that having high blood pressure may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

It was also indicated that anti-hypertensive medication may also play a role in lowering that risk.

Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark, Cambridge University in England and the University of Washington looked at data involving more than 54,000 people who were part of the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project. Of that total, 17,008 people had Alzheimer's disease and 37,154 were older people without the neurocognitive disorder.

The analysis found that people with certain generic variants were less susceptible to developing Alzheimer's, and 24 of the variants were related to a greater risk of high blood pressure.

The researchers, however, were unable to determine exactly why people with these genetic variants were less likely to develop Alzheimer's, so the findings are more correlative than causational. They added that additional investigation is needed.

However, the researchers noted that since people with high blood pressure typically take anti-hypertensive medications to manage the condition, studies should be conducted to see if these drugs may reduce Alzheimer's risk.

The study is published in the journal PLOS Medicine.