Association of Cognitive Impairment with Hypertension and Perceived Stress among Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairment is a growing public health concern among older adults, with hypertension and psychological stress recognized as important modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline. Objective: To determine the association of cognitive impairment with hypertension and perceived stress among adults aged 55 years and older. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 participants aged ≥55 years recruited through stratified random sampling at the Farooq Hospital. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), while perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Participants were categorized into hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups according to blood pressure measurements. Pearson's correlation and independent-samples t-test were performed, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 65.59±8.88 years, and 58.0% were male. Hypertension was present in 50.0% of participants. Cognitive impairment was identified in 30.0% of participants, including 28.7% with mild and 1.3% with severe impairment. Moderate and high perceived stress were reported by 64.7% and 22.7% respectively. A significant negative correlation was observed between MMSE and PSS scores (r=-0.470, p<0.001), indicating poorer cognitive performance with increasing stress. Conclusion: Hypertension and elevated perceived stress were significantly associated with cognitive impairment among older adults, emphasizing the importance of early screening, effective blood pressure control, and stress management strategies to preserve cognitive health.

Keywords: Aging, Cognitive Dysfunction, Dementia, Hypertension, Memory, Older Adults, Perceived Stress, Psychological Stress.