According to recent research published in Neurology high blood pressure is linked to memory problems in people over age 45.

We have been told repeatedly that our blood pressure should be at least normal which is something less than 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) – often written as 120/80mm Hg and read as 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury.  High blood pressure or hypertension is when your blood pressure is higher than normal for an extended period of time.

We have this general idea that high blood pressure puts us at greater risk for heart attacks and strokes. We also now know that we could have normal blood pressure as young adults and even thru those hectic times of raising kids and creating some kind of life for ourselves and family, but as we age our arteries and veins lose their elasticity and it’s more likely our pressure will raise above normal.

Those of us who are wise enough to realize the serious risks of hypertension will take our meds to control the pressure. For those who haven’t made up their mind just yet, your risk of growing old without a quality life has just increased with this new research. For every 10-point increase in the blood pressure reading, the odds of a person having cognitive problems were 7% higher.

The study involved over 20,000 participants, age 45 and older. Close to 50 percent were already taking medication for high blood pressure but another almost 8 percent of them already had memory and cognitive problems. The thinking is that by preventing or treating high blood pressure, we could potentially prevent cognitive impairment which is a precursor to dementia. Research already shows us that high diastolic blood pressure leads to the weakening of small arteries in the brain which can cause small areas of brain damage.

It seems to me that you don’t have to be a genius to figure out that you need to do what you need to do – diet, exercise, meds – to control your blood pressure.

To your healthy aging.

Ruthan Brodsky

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Filed under: Conditions and Diseases

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