Inflammation moderates the effects of lifestyle modification on neurocognition among individuals with resistant hypertension

Individuals with resistant hypertension (RH) have the greatest risk of cerebrovascular disease and cognitive impairment among individuals with hypertension. Elevated levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines may represent a critical yet unexamined factor influencing the impact of healthy lifestyle changes on cognitive function. We explored the influence of inflammation on changes in cognition following lifestyle modification among individuals with RH participating in the TRIUMPH clinical trial. One hundred forty participants with RH completed a battery of neurocognitive tests along with the inflammatory marker C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and were subsequently randomized to an intensive 4‐month lifestyle modification intervention or to education and physician advice control. Results indicated that the effects of lifestyle modification on Executive Function and Learning were moderated by pre‐intervention hsCRP levels (P = .049), with treatment efficacy increasing across levels of baseline inflammation levels (low: d = 0.12; mild: d = 0.43; moderate: d = 0.81). We conclude that inflammatory profiles may help identify individuals more likely to improve executive functioning resulting from lifestyle modification.