Most people know that high blood pressure can damage the heart and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
However, scientists are increasingly discovering that blood pressure also has a major effect on brain health.
A new study from the University of Miami suggests that one part of a blood pressure reading that often receives less attention may play an important role in protecting the brain, especially as people grow older.
The research was published in the journal Stroke and was led by Michelle R. Caunca and her team. The findings suggest that lower diastolic blood pressure, which is the bottom number in a blood pressure reading, may be linked to healthier brains and fewer signs of damage.
Blood pressure readings contain two numbers. The top number is called systolic blood pressure. It measures the pressure inside the blood vessels when the heart beats and pumps blood around the body.
The bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure. It measures the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart relaxes between beats. In general, a diastolic reading of 80 or higher is considered elevated.
For many years, researchers have mainly focused on systolic blood pressure when studying brain health. Previous studies have shown that high systolic pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke, memory problems, and dementia. The new study suggests that diastolic pressure also deserves close attention.
The researchers studied more than 1,200 adults aged 50 years and older. They wanted to better understand how blood pressure affects white matter in the brain.
White matter is an essential part of the brain. It is made up of bundles of nerve fibers that connect different regions of the brain and allow them to communicate with each other.
These connections help people think clearly, remember information, control movements, and carry out everyday activities. When white matter becomes damaged, communication between different parts of the brain can slow down or break down completely.
Damage to white matter has been linked to several serious health problems. People with white matter damage may experience memory loss, difficulty thinking clearly, problems with balance, confusion, and an increased risk of stroke and dementia.
One of the main things the researchers looked for was the presence of white matter lesions. These lesions are tiny scars or damaged areas that can be seen on brain scans. They are very common in older adults and are considered signs of injury to the brain’s small blood vessels.
The researchers made an important discovery. People whose diastolic blood pressure was lower, especially those with readings below 80, tended to have fewer white matter lesions. In some areas of the brain, the lesions that did exist were also smaller.
In contrast, people with higher diastolic blood pressure, particularly readings above 90, had more white matter lesions and more signs of brain damage.
These findings are important because white matter lesions become increasingly common with age. By the age of 60, between 10 percent and 20 percent of people already have these small scars in their brains. By the time people reach their 90s, most have developed some degree of white matter damage.
The study suggests that maintaining healthy diastolic blood pressure may help protect the brain from this damage. Healthy blood pressure may support better blood flow to brain tissue and reduce stress on the tiny blood vessels that nourish the brain.
The researchers believe their findings highlight the importance of managing blood pressure not only to protect the heart but also to preserve brain health. Keeping blood pressure under control may help lower the risk of memory problems, stroke, and dementia later in life.
The study does not prove that lowering diastolic blood pressure directly prevents white matter lesions or dementia. However, it does show a strong association between lower diastolic pressure and healthier brain tissue.
For people over the age of 50, the findings offer an important reminder to pay attention to both numbers in a blood pressure reading.
Regular medical check-ups, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping well, and following a doctor’s advice about blood pressure treatment may all contribute to protecting both heart and brain health as we age.
If you care about stroke, please read studies that diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk, and MIND diet could slow down cognitive decline after stroke.
For more health information, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce the risk of dementia, and tea and coffee may help lower your risk of stroke, dementia.
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