A new study from the University of Miami, published in the journal Stroke, highlights the importance of diastolic blood pressure (DBP)—the bottom number on a blood pressure test—in assessing brain health.
Led by Michelle R. Caunca, the research team found a significant correlation between diastolic blood pressure and the presence of brain scars, which are indicators of potential dementia, stroke, and increased fall risk.
Traditionally, systolic blood pressure (SBP), indicated by the top number on a blood pressure test, has been considered the primary indicator of heart disease risk. SBP measures the pressure in arteries when the heart beats.
DBP, on the other hand, measures the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. A DBP reading of 80 or higher is generally recognized as high, according to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
The study involved 1,205 individuals aged 50 and older and utilized MRI scans to assess the presence of white matter lesions—damaged areas of the brain that affect its nerve fibers. These fibers are crucial for transmitting messages that coordinate muscle movement, sensation, and cognitive functions.
Findings revealed that participants with a diastolic blood pressure below 80 exhibited fewer white matter lesions compared to those with readings over 90.
This suggests that lower DBP may be linked to a reduced risk of developing these brain scars, which are known to obstruct the neural pathways important for cognitive and physical abilities.
White matter lesions are common in older adults and are associated with an increased risk of stroke, cognitive decline, and physical impairments. By age 60, 10% to 20% of individuals show signs of these lesions, with the prevalence increasing with age.
The research further specifies that lesions in the periventricular region of the brain, which are particularly associated with cognitive difficulties, were less prevalent in those with lower DBP.
The study underscores the importance of managing blood pressure holistically, taking into account both systolic and diastolic readings to optimize brain health and reduce the risk of related conditions.
This study emphasizes the need for awareness and monitoring of diastolic blood pressure, not just for heart health but also for its implications on brain health, potentially impacting a person’s risk of dementia, stroke, and other related conditions.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
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