Higher genetic pulse pressure risk associated with dementia-related mortality

When looking at genetic variants in a person's DNA that predispose them to disease, a new study has found having a higher number of genetic variants for increased pulse pressure is associated with a small, increased risk of dementia as a contributing cause of death. The study was published June 3, 2026, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

In blood pressure, pulse pressure is the difference between the top number, systolic, and the bottom number, diastolic. It is the force generated by the heart when it contracts, with high pulse pressure indicating poor heart health, including stiffened arteries or poor heart valve function.

While the study found an association, it does not prove that having genetic variants for higher pulse pressure causes dementia-related death.

Cardiometabolic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke are associated with an increased risk of dementia, but it remains unclear whether genetic predictors of these diseases influence that risk. While having the APOE ɛ4 allele, a gene variant, is the strongest common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, some people may inherit a combination of small effect gene variants linked to cardiometabolic disease that may also increase the risk. Our study found an association with genetic variants linked to high pulse pressure and an increased risk of death from dementia."