Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Arterial Hypertension

Arterial hypertension (HT) is a leading risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including cerebrovascular complications. Damage to the brain as a target organ of hypertension is manifest as stroke and/or vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) of different severities. Identification and assessment of the severity of VCI require patients with hypertension to undergo neuropsychological examination and neuroimaging to confirm the vascular nature of disorders. Prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment (CI) involve not only antihypertensive therapy: the use of neuroprotectors plays an important role, among which ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (as Mexidol) has a strong evidence base.