Many people know that high blood pressure is bad for the heart, but fewer realize how harmful it can be for the brain.
As we get older, keeping blood pressure under control may be one of the most powerful ways to protect our memory, thinking, and overall brain health.
Research over the past few decades has made it clear that there is a strong link between high blood pressure and dementia, a group of conditions that seriously affect memory, thinking, and daily life.
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is already known as a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. But doctors are now paying closer attention to how it affects the brain. Studies have shown that people with high blood pressure in midlife face a greater risk of cognitive decline later in life.
This is a major concern, given that over a billion people worldwide live with hypertension. Many of them may not even know they have it, putting their future brain health at risk.
The brain depends on a healthy network of blood vessels to work properly. When blood pressure stays too high, it damages these vessels, reducing the amount of blood—and therefore oxygen and nutrients—that reaches the brain.
Over time, this can make it harder for the brain to process information, remember things, and make decisions. In some cases, this gradual decline leads to dementia.
One important study, called the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), provided strong evidence of this link. It followed thousands of participants and found that lowering blood pressure more aggressively than usual significantly reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, or MCI.
MCI is often an early stage of dementia, so preventing it could mean protecting memory and thinking for years to come. These findings suggest that managing blood pressure earlier and more actively might help prevent cognitive decline as people age.
Other research has looked at how high blood pressure affects the brain’s structure. People with hypertension are more likely to have white matter lesions—damaged areas in the brain that are common in people with dementia. High blood pressure is also associated with brain atrophy, or shrinking of the brain, another sign of cognitive decline.
Scientists are still working to understand exactly how high blood pressure causes these problems. One theory is that hypertension interferes with the brain’s ability to clear harmful proteins, like those linked to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.
Whatever the mechanism, the evidence is strong that blood pressure plays a key role in brain health.
The good news is that managing blood pressure can bring quick benefits for the heart and may also help preserve brain function. Health experts recommend checking blood pressure regularly, starting in early adulthood.
If you have high blood pressure, lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising, limiting alcohol, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help. In some cases, medication is also needed to keep blood pressure in a safe range.
Taking care of your blood pressure is about more than avoiding heart attacks and strokes. It’s also about protecting your brain and keeping your mind sharp as you age.
By working with your healthcare provider to develop a plan, you can take important steps now to support your brain health for years to come. Managing blood pressure is not just a heart issue—it’s a vital part of staying mentally strong and living a healthier, more vibrant life.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about root cause of Alzheimer’s disease and new treatment and Scientists find the link between eye disease glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease.
For more health information, please read studies about new way to treat Alzheimer’s disease and Fluctuating cholesterol and triglyceride levels are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
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