Many people know that high blood pressure can damage the heart, but fewer people realize that it can also harm the brain. Blood pressure is one of the most common health measurements taken during doctor visits.
It helps doctors understand how hard the heart is working to push blood through the body. When blood pressure stays too high for a long time, it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions.
A new study from scientists at the University of Miami suggests that one part of the blood pressure reading may offer important clues about brain health.
The researchers found that the lower number in a blood pressure reading, called diastolic pressure, may help doctors better understand a person’s risk of memory problems, stroke, and even falls as they grow older.
Blood pressure readings are usually written with two numbers. The first number, known as systolic pressure, shows the force of blood against artery walls when the heart beats. The second number, known as diastolic pressure, measures the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
For many years, doctors have paid more attention to the systolic number because it is strongly linked to heart disease and stroke risk. However, the new research suggests that the diastolic number may also play an important role, especially when it comes to the brain.
To explore this question, the research team studied 1,205 adults who were 50 years old or older. The scientists measured each participant’s blood pressure and also examined their brains using magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI scans.
MRI is a powerful imaging technology that allows doctors to see detailed pictures of the brain without surgery. The researchers were particularly interested in looking for tiny areas of damage in the brain called white matter lesions.
White matter lesions are small scars that appear in the brain when tiny blood vessels become damaged. These scars may seem small, but they can interfere with how the brain works. White matter acts like a network of communication cables inside the brain.
It helps send signals between different brain regions that control thinking, movement, memory, and balance. When this network becomes damaged, messages cannot travel as smoothly as they should.
As a result, people with more white matter lesions may experience problems such as memory loss, difficulty thinking clearly, trouble walking, or a greater risk of falling. These lesions are also associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia.
Because of these serious effects, scientists are eager to understand what factors contribute to the formation of these brain scars.
The study found an interesting pattern when researchers compared blood pressure levels with brain scans. People whose diastolic blood pressure was lower than 80 tended to have fewer white matter lesions. In contrast, individuals with diastolic pressure higher than 90 were more likely to have these brain scars.
Earlier studies have already shown that high systolic blood pressure can damage arteries and reduce blood flow to the brain. Over time, this can lead to injury in delicate brain tissues. The new study adds another piece to the puzzle by showing that diastolic pressure may also influence brain health, especially in areas involved in thinking and memory.
This discovery is important because white matter damage becomes more common as people age. According to the American Heart Association, about 20 percent of people already have white matter lesions by the age of 60.
By the time people reach 90 years old, almost everyone shows some signs of these changes in the brain. Finding ways to reduce or slow this damage could help protect brain function later in life.
The research also identified a specific type of lesion called periventricular white matter lesions. These lesions appear near fluid-filled spaces deep inside the brain and are strongly linked to problems with memory and thinking. The study showed that diastolic blood pressure was particularly useful for predicting the presence of this type of brain damage.
The brain relies on a complex network of blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients. If blood pressure remains too high, it can strain these vessels and slowly damage them.
Because different parts of the brain receive blood from different arteries, changes in blood pressure may affect each region in unique ways. Understanding these patterns can help doctors develop better strategies to prevent stroke, dementia, and other neurological problems.
The study was led by researcher Michelle R. Caunca and was published in the scientific journal Stroke. The findings highlight the importance of paying attention to both numbers in a blood pressure reading. While the top number is widely discussed, the bottom number may also provide valuable information about long-term brain health.
Doctors encourage people to monitor their blood pressure regularly and discuss the results with their healthcare providers. Keeping blood pressure under control through healthy habits, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and proper medical care, can help protect not only the heart but also the brain.
As scientists continue to learn more about the connection between blood pressure and brain health, studies like this one offer new hope for preventing memory loss and other age-related brain problems before they begin.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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