A new study from the University of Miami has revealed an important link between blood pressure and brain health, especially for people over 50.
The research shows that the bottom number in a blood pressure reading, known as diastolic blood pressure, could play a bigger role in protecting the brain than we thought.
When doctors measure your blood pressure, they give two numbers. The top number is called systolic pressure. It tells us the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. The bottom number is diastolic pressure, which shows the pressure when your heart rests between beats. A diastolic reading of 80 or higher is considered too high.
This new study looked at more than 1,200 adults aged 50 and older. The researchers wanted to understand how blood pressure affects the brain, especially the white matter.
White matter is made up of nerve fibers that help different parts of the brain communicate with each other. If this white matter gets damaged, it can cause serious problems like memory loss, confusion, falls, and stroke.
One of the most important things the researchers looked at was something called white matter lesions. These are small scars in the brain that show damage. These scars can be found in many older adults and are linked to dementia and other brain diseases.
What the researchers found was surprising. People with lower diastolic blood pressure—especially those with readings below 80—had fewer white matter lesions.
On the other hand, people with higher diastolic pressure—above 90—had more of these brain scars. Even more interesting, the size of the lesions in some specific brain areas was smaller in those with lower diastolic pressure.
This is a big deal because past studies mostly focused on the top number, systolic blood pressure. They showed that high systolic pressure can harm the brain. But this new research tells us we should also pay close attention to the bottom number.
By the age of 60, between 10% and 20% of people already have white matter lesions in the brain. As people get older, especially over 90, most of them develop these brain scars. That’s why it’s important to understand how to lower the risk.
The study, led by Michelle R. Caunca and her team, was published in the journal Stroke. It shows how important it is to check and control blood pressure, not just for your heart, but for your brain too. Keeping your diastolic pressure below 80 might help you stay mentally sharp and avoid problems like stroke or dementia.
If you’re over 50, talk to your doctor about your blood pressure. Regular check-ups and healthy habits like exercise, good sleep, and a balanced diet can make a big difference for both your heart and your brain.
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 health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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