Comparison of Cognition and Aerobic Capacity in Hypertensive and Age Matched Non-Hypertensive Middle Age Males: An Observational Study

Objective: The study aimed to compare cognition and aerobic capacity in hypertensive and non hypertensive middle aged males and find correlation between aerobic capacity and cognition in both group, to assess the relationship of cognition with age, years of hypertension, years of diabetes mellitus (DM), aerobic capacity among individual with hypertension. 
Design and method: An observational analytical study was conducted at community societies in Ahmedabad using purposive sampling. According to inclusion criteria 54 (27 in each group) middle age males were included in the study. Participants were divided into two groups -hypertensive group and non-hypertensive group.Each individual performed 6 minute walk test (6 MWT) to assess the aerobic capacity and Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) was taken to assess the cognition.
Results: Statistically significant difference between both groups in 6MWT (U=208, p<0.01). No significant difference between both groups in MOCA (U=295, p>0.05).Moderate positive correlation between aerobic capacity and cognition in hypertensive group(r=0.538, p<0.005) and no correlation in non- hypertensive group(r=0.059, p>0.05) was seen. Association between cognition with age (B=0.423, p=0.007), hypertension year (B=0.598, p=0.299), DM year (B=0.322, p=0.543) and aerobic capacity (B=0.491, p=0.003) in individual with hypertension. 
Conclusion: The findings suggest that lower aerobic capacity and no difference in scores of cognition in hypertensive compared to non hypertensive middle aged males is seen. Correlation between aerobic capacity and cognition in hypertensive group was seen. Cognition is ascending way highly associated with hypertension year, aerobic capacity, age and DM year so. In later cognition is affected in hypertensive group.

Keywords: Aerobic capacity, Cognition, Hypertension