Have you ever had a band wrapped around your arm at the doctor’s office? The doctor squeezes it, and then you’re given two numbers.
These numbers are more than just figures—they provide important insights into your overall health. Now, scientists have found a connection between these numbers and the health of your brain.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force that your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries. These arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers. The top number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure when your heart is actively pumping blood.
The bottom number, known as diastolic blood pressure, reflects the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats. Doctors consider blood pressure high when the diastolic number is 80 or above.
Why Blood Pressure Matters
Doctors typically focus on the top number (systolic) when evaluating your risk for heart disease, which makes it harder for your heart to pump blood efficiently. Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide.
New Discoveries About Blood Pressure and the Brain
Recent research from the University of Miami has revealed that the bottom number in your blood pressure reading (diastolic) might be just as important.
Scientists found that diastolic blood pressure could help detect the presence of scars on the brain—scar tissue that is linked to serious conditions such as dementia, stroke, or an increased risk of falls.
What the Study Found
In this study, researchers examined over 1,200 people aged 50 or older to explore the relationship between blood pressure and brain scars, also known as white matter lesions.
White matter consists of nerve fibers in the brain that help send messages throughout the body, controlling muscle movement, sensation, and cognitive function.
Through MRI brain scans, the scientists observed that individuals with lower diastolic blood pressure had fewer brain scars. Specifically, those with a diastolic number below 80 were found to have fewer brain scars than those whose diastolic number was over 90.
Previous studies indicated that a high systolic number can lead to narrowed arteries, which increase the risk of brain scars. But this new research shows that keeping the diastolic number in check may also protect the brain from these scars.
The Impact of White Matter Scars
White matter is essential for transmitting signals in the brain. Scar tissue in the white matter can disrupt these signals, raising the risk of falls, strokes, and other complications.
Additionally, the presence of white matter scars can lead to memory and cognitive problems. By the age of 60, between 10% and 20% of people have these scars in their brains.
What Does This Mean for You?
This research underscores the importance of monitoring both your systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range could help protect your brain from developing scar tissue that affects memory, movement, and other vital functions.
It’s important to talk with your doctor about your blood pressure and what steps you can take to manage it. By doing so, you may be able to lower your risk of heart disease and brain-related issues like dementia and stroke.
So, the next time your blood pressure is checked, remember that those two numbers provide valuable information about not only your heart health but also your brain health!
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about how diets could help lower high blood pressure, and 3 grams of omega-3s a day keep high blood pressure at bay.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about how tea and coffee influence your risk of high blood pressure, and results showing this olive oil could reduce blood pressure in healthy people.
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