Most of us are familiar with the blood pressure cuff that squeezes our arm at the doctor’s office, giving us two important numbers. These numbers tell us a lot about our heart health, but new research suggests they might also provide clues about how well our brain is aging.
When you get your blood pressure measured, the first number, called systolic pressure, shows the force of blood in your arteries when your heart beats. This number gets a lot of attention because it’s closely linked to heart disease.
The second number, diastolic pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats.
While diastolic pressure is often overlooked, a recent study led by Michelle R. Caunca at the University of Miami suggests it might play a critical role in brain health, especially as we age.
Published in the journal Stroke, the study highlights the connection between diastolic pressure and tiny brain scars called white matter lesions.
These lesions are small but significant. They can damage the brain’s communication system, making it harder to think clearly, remember things, or even maintain balance. Over time, they may increase the risk of dementia, strokes, and falls.
To explore this, the researchers studied 1,205 people aged 50 and older, using MRI scans to look for white matter lesions in their brains.
They discovered something surprising: people with lower diastolic blood pressure (below 80) had fewer brain lesions compared to those with higher diastolic pressure (above 90).
This finding challenges the traditional focus on systolic pressure for brain health, suggesting that diastolic pressure might be just as important—particularly when it comes to protecting the brain’s white matter.
White matter is made up of nerve fibers that act like highways, carrying information between different parts of the brain. When white matter lesions form, they disrupt these pathways, much like potholes slow down traffic.
This can lead to issues with memory, balance, and daily functioning, increasing the risk of serious events like strokes or falls.
The study also found that the location of these lesions matters. Lesions near the brain’s fluid-filled spaces, in an area called the periventricular region, were particularly linked to problems with thinking and memory.
This region is especially vulnerable to the effects of high diastolic pressure, which can damage the small blood vessels that supply it.
White matter lesions become more common with age. By the time someone is in their 60s, about 20% of people have them. This percentage grows as we age, and by our 90s, most people have some level of white matter damage.
The presence of these lesions is concerning because they are closely tied to cognitive decline and a higher risk of neurological issues.
So, what can you do? This research emphasizes the importance of monitoring both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. While systolic pressure has long been the focus, paying attention to the lower number could be just as vital for protecting your brain as you grow older.
Regular check-ups with your doctor are key. Understanding what your blood pressure numbers mean and how they might affect your brain health can help you take steps to keep both your heart and brain in good shape.
By managing blood pressure through lifestyle changes, medication, or both, you may be able to reduce the risk of white matter lesions, preserving memory, balance, and overall brain function well into later life.
This study is a reminder that taking care of your heart also means taking care of your brain. Keeping an eye on that often-overlooked diastolic number could help ensure a healthier and sharper mind as you age.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and people with severe high blood pressure should reduce coffee intake.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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