Can Untreated Hypertension Mimic Dementia Symptoms?
High blood pressure that goes untreated can cause brain fog, forgetfulness, and confusion, which look a lot like early signs of dementia. These symptoms happen because constant high pressure slows blood flow to the brain, starving it of oxygen over time.[1]
Doctors call this reduced oxygen supply cerebral hypoxia. It leads to ongoing tiredness, trouble focusing, and even mix-ups in thinking that feel like memory slips.[1] Someone might forget where they put things or struggle to follow a conversation, much like what people notice in dementia’s starting stages.
Unlike true dementia, which worsens steadily and harms daily tasks, these hypertension effects often improve once blood pressure comes under control. High blood pressure is a known risk for real cognitive decline too, especially if it starts in middle age, but the short-term confusion from poor brain blood flow can fool families and even some doctors at first.[3][6]
Other everyday issues mimic dementia too, like low vitamin B12 or depression, but untreated hypertension stands out because it hits the brain’s fuel line directly.[4] Simple checks, such as measuring blood pressure regularly, can spot this hidden problem early.
People over 50 with unexplained mental slowdowns should get their pressure tested, as fixing it might clear up the fog without needing dementia drugs.[1][4]
Sources
https://www.primamedicine.com/blog/dont-ignore-the-silent-killer-8-subtle-signs-your-blood-pressure-might-be-dangerously-high-in-northern-virginia/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12676791/
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.71002?af=R
https://www.medicaldaily.com/it-normal-aging-early-dementia-key-memory-loss-causes-alzheimers-early-signs-watch-474117
https://www.statnews.com/2025/12/13/dementia-revolution-diagnosis-treatment-interview/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12729070/
