High blood pressure is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and recent studies have shown that it can have a long-term impact on brain health. While it’s normal for blood pressure to rise with age, research suggests that high blood pressure in your 30s can have serious consequences in later life. In fact, it found that men with high blood pressure in their 30s are more likely to experience a decline in cognitive function as they age, putting them at a higher risk for dementia. This evidence reinforces the importance of managing blood pressure earlier to minimize its negative impact on brain health later in life.
The research published in JAMA Network Open looked at data from 427 participants from the
Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) study and the Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR). This included health information from 1964 to 1985 for a diverse cohort of older Asian, Black, Latino, and white adults.
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For the study, two blood pressure readings were taken from participants when they were between the ages of 30 to 40. This allowed researchers to determine whether there was hypertension in young adulthood. MRI scans were also given to participants between 2017 and 2022, which enabled researchers to look for late-life neuroimaging biomarkers of neurodegeneration and white matter integrity.
Both men and women with hypertension were found to have a significant reduction of cerebral gray matter volume, frontal cortex volume, and fractional anisotropy (a measure of brain connectivity). However, the outcomes showed a stronger association in men.
Researchers believe the negative brain changes in some regions, shown in men rather than women, may be related to the protective benefits of estrogen before menopause.
This study adds to the growing evidence that cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood may be detrimental to brain health later in life.
“This study truly demonstrates the importance of early life risk factors, and that to age well, you need to take care of yourself throughout life—heart health is brain health,” said Rachel Whitmer, senior author of the study.
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“We are excited to be able to continue following these participants and to uncover more about what one can do in early life to set yourself up for healthy brain aging in late life.”
Maintaining Brain Health
While some degree of cognitive decline is nearly inevitable as you age, this study shows how numerous factors, such as blood pressure, can take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential. This can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function. The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps to boost circulation, fight free radicals, and provide nutritional support to assist with cognitive function.
By maintaining healthy blood pressure, you can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and help support overall heart health. Healthy Blood Pressure Support has been shown in human clinical studies to help support healthy blood pressure making it an excellent choice for those looking to support healthy blood pressure levels. In addition, Healthy Blood Pressure Support also supports healthy cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.
Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
