Many people know that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is bad for the heart, but fewer are aware that it can also harm the brain.
Research has shown that hypertension is a major risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia, which can affect memory, thinking, and decision-making. Understanding this connection can help us take better care of both our brain and overall health.
Hypertension occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. Over time, this can damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow to important organs, including the brain.
The brain needs a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients to function properly, and when blood flow is disrupted, it can lead to problems with memory and thinking.
This is why scientists have been studying how high blood pressure contributes to cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the ways hypertension affects the brain is through small vessel disease. This happens when the tiny blood vessels in the brain become damaged due to long-term high blood pressure.
These vessels are responsible for delivering nutrients and removing waste from brain tissue. When they don’t work properly, it can cause silent strokes and white matter damage.
White matter is important for communication between different parts of the brain, so damage to it can lead to slower thinking and memory problems.
Research also shows that people with midlife hypertension are at a higher risk of developing dementia later in life.
A landmark study published in 2018 followed over 8,000 people for 24 years and found that those with high blood pressure in their 40s and 50s were more likely to develop dementia as they aged. This suggests that managing blood pressure in midlife could be a key strategy for protecting brain health.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, has also been linked to high blood pressure. While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, researchers believe that chronic hypertension may contribute to the build-up of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, high blood pressure can cause chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are thought to play a role in neurodegeneration.
The good news is that managing blood pressure can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Several studies have shown that controlling hypertension with medication or lifestyle changes can slow down or prevent brain damage.
For example, the SPRINT MIND trial found that intensive blood pressure control significantly reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, a condition that often precedes dementia.
Participants who kept their systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg had better outcomes compared to those with higher blood pressure.
Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress, can also make a big difference.
The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, has been shown to lower blood pressure and may also support brain health. Regular physical activity improves blood flow and can help protect the brain from the effects of aging.
In summary, hypertension is not just a heart problem; it’s a brain problem too. High blood pressure can damage the brain’s blood vessels, increase the risk of strokes, and contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.
The connection between hypertension and brain health highlights the importance of keeping blood pressure under control throughout life. By taking steps to manage blood pressure, we can help protect our brain and maintain better cognitive function as we 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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