Many people know that high blood pressure can harm the heart. But a new study shows it might also hurt your brain—especially the lower number on a blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The top number is called systolic pressure. It shows how hard your blood pushes when your heart beats. The bottom number is called diastolic pressure.
It shows the pressure when your heart is resting between beats. Most doctors pay more attention to the top number. But this new study from the University of Miami suggests the bottom number also matters a lot—especially for brain health.
Researchers studied over 1,200 people aged 50 and older. They measured their blood pressure and took detailed pictures of their brains using MRI scans. They were looking for something called white matter lesions.
These are tiny scars inside the brain. You can’t feel them, but they can quietly cause serious problems over time—like memory loss, trouble walking, or even strokes.
The results were clear. People with lower diastolic pressure (under 80) had fewer of these brain scars. People with higher diastolic pressure (over 90) had more. That means the bottom number on your blood pressure reading might give early clues about future brain issues.
White matter is a part of the brain that helps send signals between different areas. It helps you move, feel, and think. When white matter gets damaged, those signals don’t work well anymore. This can make someone feel dizzy, confused, or forgetful. In older people, this damage can lead to falls or dementia.
According to the American Heart Association, by age 60, up to 1 in 5 people already have white matter lesions. By age 90, almost everyone has them. This makes it important to find ways to prevent them as early as possible.
This new study adds to what we already know. Past research has shown that high systolic pressure can narrow blood vessels in the brain. But this study shows that diastolic pressure may be just as important, especially for protecting areas in the brain linked to memory and thinking.
The researchers say doctors should start looking more closely at the bottom number in blood pressure readings. It could help catch brain problems early—before people even notice symptoms. This could lead to new treatments that prevent strokes or dementia.
The study was led by Dr. Michelle R. Caunca and was published in the medical journal Stroke. If you’re over 50, it’s a good idea to know both your blood pressure numbers and talk to your doctor about how to keep your brain healthy.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Common drug for constipation is linked to higher dementia risk and findings of Scientists find link between heartburn drugs and increased dementia risk.
For more about dementia, please read studies about Scientists find a drug related to Viagra may help treat vascular dementia and findings of link between body inflammation and dementia risk.
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