High blood pressure doesn’t just affect your heart—it may also impact your brain.
Recent research suggests a strong link between high blood pressure (especially in midlife) and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
A large study published in The Lancet Neurology showed that people with high blood pressure in their 40s and 50s had a greater risk of memory loss and cognitive decline later in life. High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in the brain, leading to reduced blood flow and a higher chance of brain cell damage.
Over time, this can contribute to the buildup of harmful proteins like beta-amyloid and tau, which are linked to Alzheimer’s. A review in Hypertension journal also found that people with uncontrolled blood pressure had more white matter lesions in their brains, which are associated with thinking and memory problems.
The good news is that controlling blood pressure early may protect your brain. Lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet (such as DASH or Mediterranean), limiting salt, managing stress, and getting enough sleep can help keep blood pressure in check.
Some medications used to treat high blood pressure may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, although more research is needed. The key message is: what’s good for your heart is also good for your brain.
Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range isn’t just about avoiding heart attacks—it may help protect your memory and thinking skills as you age.
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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