Scientists at the University of Miami have made a groundbreaking discovery about blood pressure, specifically the lower number, known as diastolic blood pressure.
This finding could change how we look at the risk of brain-related health issues like dementia, stroke, and the likelihood of falls.
First, let’s understand what blood pressure numbers mean. When you get your blood pressure checked, you get two numbers. The top number, systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
The bottom number, diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure when your heart is resting between beats. Generally, a diastolic reading of 80 or higher is considered high, according to the American College of Cardiology and the AHA.
While the top number has always been seen as crucial for assessing heart disease risk, the Miami researchers have turned the spotlight on the lower number.
They explored how blood pressure relates to certain brain changes, specifically white matter lesions. These lesions are scars in the brain that can hint at future problems like dementia, strokes, or falls.
In their study of over 1,200 adults aged 50 and older, the researchers noticed something interesting. People with lower diastolic blood pressure had fewer white matter lesions on their MRI scans compared to those with higher diastolic pressure.
This is intriguing because it’s known that high systolic pressure can narrow arteries and lead to these lesions. However, this study showed that a diastolic pressure under 80 was linked to smaller lesions in three key brain regions.
White matter is crucial as it contains nerve fibers that send messages throughout the brain, influencing muscle movement, sensation, and thinking.
Lesions in this area can disrupt these messages, increasing the risk of falls. They’re also tied to stroke risk and problems with memory and thinking.
Interestingly, these white matter lesions are quite common. By age 60, up to 20% of people have them, and they are seen in most adults over 90.
The Miami team pointed out that different brain regions are affected in different ways by various diseases. They also noted that lesions in the periventricular region are particularly concerning because they’re strongly linked to cognitive issues.
This study, led by Michelle R. Caunca and published in the journal Stroke, highlights an important aspect of health monitoring. Knowing your blood pressure and discussing treatment options with your doctor could be more crucial than ever, not just for heart health but for maintaining a healthy brain.
The research adds a new dimension to understanding how our blood pressure readings can be early indicators of significant health risks.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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