The Heart & Mind Study

Inclusion Criteria:

• 55 years of age or older;
• Present with controlled or uncontrolled stage 1 hypertension (seated, resting clinic SBP 140 to 179 mmHg and/or DBP 90 to 109 mmHg) as per Hypertension Canada's 2017 Guidelines;
• Have preserved instrumental activities of daily living (scoring >6/8 on the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL] scale);
• Present signs of SCD (defined as answering yes to the question: "Do you feel like your memory or thinking skills have gotten worse recently?");
• Report being concerned about SCD (defined as answering yes to the question: "If yes, are you concerned about the worsening of your memory or thinking skills?");
• Preserved objective cognitive performance (i.e., no signs of MCI or dementia) defined by scoring ≥ 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA);
• Must be able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Present signs of objective cognitive impairment (i.e., signs of MCI or dementia), defined by scoring ≤ 25 on the MoCA combined with study physician consult;
• Present resting stage 2 hypertension (seated, resting clinic SBP ≥ 180 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 110 mmHg);
• Present significant neurological conditions or psychiatric disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease or stroke <1 year); 4) present history of severe cardiovascular conditions (e.g., recent [<1 year] myocardial infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy) and symptomatic cerebrovascular disease;
• Present significant orthopaedic conditions (e.g., severe osteoarthritis in the lower limbs);
• Present untreated clinical depression (i.e., score >15 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression scale combined with study physician consult);
• Unable to comprehend the study letter of information. Participants will also be excluded for any other factors that could potentially limit their ability to fully participate in the study.