Imagine you’re at the doctor’s office, getting your blood pressure checked. After the machine squeezes your arm, it gives two numbers: the top number (systolic) and the bottom number (diastolic). Typically, doctors focus more on the top number to assess heart health.
However, a recent study led by Michelle R. Caunca from the University of Miami, published in the journal Stroke, suggests the second number—the diastolic blood pressure—might reveal some valuable insights about our brain health.
To understand this better, let’s break down these two numbers. The systolic blood pressure (the top number) measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats, while the diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) measures the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
Although the systolic number is usually more closely associated with heart health risks, this study focused on diastolic blood pressure, specifically looking at its connection to brain health.
The researchers studied 1,205 people aged 50 and older, examining MRI scans of their brains. They were particularly interested in finding small brain scars, known as white matter lesions.
These lesions, which are areas of damage in the brain, can interfere with the brain’s messaging system, affecting everything from muscle movement to thinking and memory.
White matter is like the brain’s “communication network,” with nerve fibers that send signals quickly between different parts of the brain.
The findings were intriguing: people with lower diastolic blood pressure (under 80) had fewer of these brain scars than those with higher diastolic blood pressure (above 90).
This is notable because while high blood pressure in general has been known to harm the brain, this study highlights that even the lower, diastolic number might play a unique role in brain health.
These brain lesions are common as we age. By age 60, roughly 20% of people have white matter lesions, and by 90, the majority of people have them.
The researchers also observed that the location of these lesions varies based on which blood vessels are affected. Lesions in certain areas can have a bigger impact on thinking and memory.
In particular, lesions in the periventricular region of the brain were linked to cognitive problems, like issues with memory and processing information.
So, what’s the takeaway? For one, it emphasizes the importance of monitoring blood pressure, and not just the top number. Keeping an eye on that diastolic blood pressure could be more essential for protecting our brains than we previously thought.
If we can manage both numbers effectively, we may be able to reduce our chances of developing white matter lesions and the memory or movement issues that often come with them.
This study highlights how maintaining a healthy blood pressure might be key not only for heart health but also for staying mentally sharp as we age.
Talking to your doctor about your diastolic blood pressure and how it might affect your long-term brain health could be a valuable step toward better overall well-being.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and Coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
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