Scientists at the University of Miami have found an important clue about how blood pressure might affect brain health. Their new research shows that the lower number in a blood pressure reading, called the diastolic pressure, could help predict a person’s risk for brain damage that might lead to dementia, strokes, or falls.
Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The top number, called systolic blood pressure, shows the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The bottom number, called diastolic blood pressure, shows the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
Doctors usually focus on the top number to judge a person’s risk of heart disease. However, this new study suggests that the bottom number is also important, especially when it comes to brain health.
The researchers studied 1,205 adults who were aged 50 and older. They checked their blood pressure and used MRI scans to look at their brains. They were especially interested in tiny brain scars called white matter lesions.
These lesions can interfere with the way the brain’s nerves send messages, and they are linked to a higher risk of strokes, falls, memory loss, and dementia.
The study found that people with lower diastolic blood pressure (below 80) had fewer white matter lesions compared to people whose diastolic blood pressure was higher (above 90). This means that keeping the lower blood pressure number at a healthy level might help protect the brain from damage.
Earlier studies already showed that high systolic blood pressure can lead to narrower arteries, which can cause these brain scars. But this study shows that diastolic pressure is important too, especially for parts of the brain that control memory and thinking.
White matter is made up of nerve fibers that connect different parts of the brain. These fibers are like communication lines that allow the brain to control movement, feelings, and thoughts. When white matter gets damaged, communication inside the brain slows down or gets interrupted, leading to problems with balance, memory, and clear thinking.
According to the American Heart Association, white matter lesions are quite common. They are found in about 10–20% of people by the age of 60 and are even more common in people over 90 years old.
This study matters because it suggests that doctors should pay more attention to both blood pressure numbers—not just the top one—when checking for risks to brain health. Catching these risks early could help prevent serious problems like strokes and dementia.
The researchers also pointed out that different parts of the brain get blood from different arteries. If blood pressure is too high, it can harm specific parts of the brain in different ways. Learning more about these patterns could help doctors create better treatments to protect the brain.
The scientists encourage everyone to know their blood pressure numbers and talk to their doctor about the best ways to keep them in a healthy range. Managing blood pressure properly could help protect not only your heart but also your brain as you age.
This study, led by Michelle R. Caunca, was published in the journal Stroke.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about inflammation that may actually slow down cognitive decline in older people, and low vitamin D may speed up cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about common exercises that could protect against cognitive decline, and results showing that this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
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