A study from the University of Miami suggests that diastolic blood pressure—the lower number in a blood pressure reading—may play a bigger role in brain health than previously thought.
Blood pressure is usually measured with two numbers. The top number, called systolic pressure, shows how much force the heart exerts on the arteries when it beats. The bottom number, diastolic pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
Doctors and researchers have often focused on systolic blood pressure because it is considered a strong predictor of heart disease. However, this study suggests that diastolic pressure may be just as important, especially when it comes to brain health.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a well-known risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. According to guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, diastolic blood pressure is considered high when it reaches 80 or above.
The University of Miami study examined how different levels of blood pressure relate to brain health by looking at white matter lesions—small scars in the brain that can disrupt movement, thinking, and sensation. These lesions are linked to a higher risk of stroke, falls, and cognitive decline, including dementia.
The researchers analyzed brain scans of 1,205 people aged 50 and older. They found that people with lower diastolic blood pressure had fewer white matter lesions, while those with diastolic readings above 90 had larger lesions in three key brain areas. These findings add to growing evidence that maintaining healthy blood pressure is essential for brain function.
White matter lesions are common in older adults and can affect different brain regions in different ways. The study highlighted that lesions in a specific area called the periventricular white matter were especially linked to cognitive problems. This suggests that high diastolic blood pressure may contribute to memory loss and other brain-related issues over time.
While past research mainly focused on how high systolic pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of these lesions, this study emphasizes that diastolic pressure also plays a critical role. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring both numbers in a blood pressure reading—not just the top one.
This research encourages people to take a proactive approach to their blood pressure health. Managing high blood pressure through lifestyle changes, medication, and regular checkups with a doctor could help protect the brain from age-related damage.
Published in the journal Stroke, this study, led by Michelle R. Caunca and her team, offers new insights into how blood pressure affects brain health and underscores the need to consider both systolic and diastolic pressure in medical care.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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