China Rural Hypertension Control Program trial reduces dementia risk

Results from the China Rural Hypertension Control Program (CRHCP) indicate that an intensive blood pressure-lowering intervention can reduce the risk of dementia by 15% over a seven-year period. The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026.

The study utilized a cluster-randomized trial involving 326 rural Chinese villages. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving usual care and another receiving an intensive intervention led by trained, non-physician community healthcare providers. These providers initiated and adjusted antihypertensive medications under physician supervision to target a systolic blood pressure of less than 130 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 mmHg.

Principal Investigator Yingxian Sun noted that while hypertension is a known modifiable risk factor for dementia, long-term evidence for population-level prevention has been limited. The CRHCP has previously demonstrated success in reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality.