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Dementia: Lower Your Blood Pressure and Lower Your Risk
There are more than 50 million people who suffer from dementia worldwide.1 Dementia, a medical condition that affects the brain and memory, makes everyday tasks difficult, and the risk of developing this disease rises as you age. Additionally, while dementia is more common in those with a family history, certain health issues like high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) are known to increase your risk of cognitive decline.
A new study showed that managing high blood pressure more directly led to a decreased risk of developing dementia.
A large study of a group of approximately 34,000 adults aged 40 and older with hypertension were divided into two groups. One group received intensive treatment to lower their blood pressure, and the other received standard hypertension care. After four years, those in the treatment group had a 15% lower risk of developing dementia and a 16% lower risk of memory problems compared to the standard care group.3
This, and similar studies, suggest that taking action to properly manage high blood pressure can significantly help you reduce your risk of dementia.
How High Blood Pressure Impacts Brain Health
Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is too high. Over time, high blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the brain, causing blockages that reduce blood flow. The damage and reduced blood flow can then result in cognitive decline through conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Healthy blood pressure:
120/80 and lower
Stage 1 hypertension:
130-139/80-89
Stage 2 hypertension:
140-180/90-120
Hypertension in midlife (early 40s through early 60s) is a proven indicator of dementia later in life.2
Reducing Your Risk of Memory Loss
Nearly half of all adults in the US have hypertension while the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that a third of all adults worldwide are hypertensive. But for most, managing the condition is possible, and even easy, with the right healthy lifestyle changes.4
- Eat a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables and limited processed foods
- Stay active – engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity
- Limit your alcohol and salt intake
- Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
- Get adequate, quality sleep
- Take recommended blood pressure medications
There are many things about brain health and memory loss that can leave you feeling out of control. In the case of blood pressure, you can take matters into your own hands. By better managing blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medication, you can protect your brain health and reduce the risk of dementia as you age.
CONTRIBUTING EXPERT
Chandar Abboy, MD
Dr. Abboy is a physician board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, and sleep medicine. He is a Principal Investigator at Care Access, overseeing multiple clinical trials.
SOURCES
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
- https://nyulangone.org/news/six-things-know-about-high-blood-pressure-dementia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40258956/
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/managing-blood-pressure-with-a-heart-healthy-diet
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Care Access is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Our products and content are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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