Good news for the older folks out there that are currently taking blood pressure medication. A new study revealed that blood pressure drugs that block the protein angiotensin, appear to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The study involved some 819,000 veterans, almost all men, and found that those taking blood pressure medications had a much lower risk of dementia. According to an article from Health Day News

Angiotensin causes blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure. It is produced when enzymes act to convert a precursor molecule, angiotensinogen. Lisinopril is a member of a drug family called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors. Other examples of ACE inhibitors are benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec) and ramipril (Altace).

Reducing angiotensin production by giving ACE inhibitors can lower blood pressure. The same effect can be achieved with drugs that block the cell receptors through which angiotensin acts. Called angiotensin receptor blockers, these drugs have a greater protective effect against dementia than ACE inhibitors, the study found. Such drugs include candesartan (Atacand), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar) and valsartan (Diovan).

This was also found to be true for the drug lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril). Lisinopril blocks the production of the active form of angiotensin.

The study showed that use of an angiotensin receptor blocker reduced admission to nursing homes by half. Combine angiotensin medication and therapy the number of those admitted to a nursing home dropped by two-thirds.

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