What Is Blood Pressure and Why Does it Matter?
You’ve probably had your arm squeezed by a doctor to check your blood pressure. They tell you two numbers. But did you know those numbers are not just about your heart? They can also tell doctors about your brain’s health.
Blood pressure is the force that your blood makes as it pushes against your arteries, the tubes that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
The first number, the “top” number, is the systolic blood pressure. It tells you how much pressure is there when your heart beats.
The second number, the “bottom” number, is the diastolic blood pressure, and it shows the pressure when your heart is resting between beats.
High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, which is a top killer around the world. But there’s more to the story.
A New Connection: Blood Pressure and Your Brain
Researchers from the University of Miami have discovered that the bottom number in your blood pressure test may also be important for your brain.
Specifically, it could be a clue to finding out if you have certain kinds of scars on your brain, known as “white matter lesions.” These scars can lead to serious health issues like memory loss, stroke, and falls.
In their study, the scientists examined more than 1,200 people who were aged 50 or older. By taking pictures of the brain using MRI machines, they found that people with lower bottom numbers had fewer brain scars.
In earlier studies, having a high top number was linked to narrow arteries, which also can cause brain scars. But this new study shows that having a lower bottom number might help protect your brain.
The Importance of White Matter
The part of the brain we’re talking about is called “white matter.” This area is full of nerve fibers that help send messages between your brain and the rest of your body.
These messages are important for things like moving, feeling, and thinking. When white matter gets scarred, these messages can get blocked or slowed down, making you more likely to fall or have other issues like strokes.
As people get older, the chance of having these scars increases. By the time you’re 60, between 10% and 20% of people will have some white matter lesions.
Takeaways: Small Numbers, Big Impact
Knowing your blood pressure numbers can do more than just tell you about your heart; it can also give you a glimpse into your brain’s health. This could lead to new ways for doctors to help prevent brain-related diseases.
So next time you’re getting your blood pressure checked, remember that those two numbers can tell a bigger story about your overall health, from your heart to your brain!
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about a common and unrecognized cause of high blood pressure, and this small habit can greatly benefit people with high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about more efficient ways to treat high blood pressure, and potatoes and high blood pressure: what you need to know.
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