Blood pressure fluctuations may impair your thinking and other brain functions when you become old. Therefore, blood pressure control is there not only for your heart health. It helps keep your brain sharp as you age.
Blood pressure effect on brain
Neurology, the leading scientific journal, published a relevant new study. In this study, researchers show that seniors with many blood pressure spikes and drops over time, are more likely to suffer a decline in their thinking and memory. In the same time, people of similar age who took blood pressure lowering medications and whose blood pressure was stable, showed no such decline.
“These results suggest that fluctuation in blood pressure is a risk factor for cognitive problems beyond the negative effects of high blood pressure itself,” said researcher Dr. Anisa Dhana, a postdoctoral researcher with Rush University in Chicago.
How they studied
Nearly 4,800 people with an average age of 71 took part in the study. Participants had their blood pressure measured over three years. They completed thinking and memory skills tests at the beginning and end of the 10-year study. The participants had an average blood pressure of 138/78.
Results showed that people whose blood pressure fluctuated the most experienced nearly three additional years of brain aging. On the other hand, people who took blood pressure medications showed no difference in scores on thinking tests.
The study’s author says
“Older adults should be routinely monitored for their blood pressure and any changes over time so we can identify people who may have this issue and work to alleviate it, which could potentially help to prevent or delay cognitive problems,” Dhana noted in a journal news release.
“With our aging society and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, identifying prevention strategies to slow the decline of cognitive skills in older adults has become a public health priority,” Dhana said. “Managing blood pressure and its fluctuations is emerging as an essential risk factor that can be modified.”
Conclusions
- Managing blood pressure effectively benefits both heart and brain health. This study shows that fluctuations in blood pressure, not just high levels, can harm cognitive function.
- Consistent blood pressure control is key to reducing these risks. Medications that stabilize blood pressure may help prevent cognitive decline.
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure is essential for older adults. Proactive care can address fluctuations early and protect brain health.
- With an aging population, these measures are increasingly important. Routine blood pressure assessments can help preserve memory and thinking skills. This may reduce the burden of age-related cognitive impairments over time.
