While high blood pressure seems to be completely separated from brain health, it actually affects cognitive abilities later in life.
A new study warns people to be more careful with their high blood pressure when they're in their 30s and also later in life.
Let's find out more.
It can be dangerous not only to your heart
High blood pressure in one's 30s is linked to poorer brain health later in life, particularly for men, according to a new study conducted by UC Davis.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the research compared brain scans of older individuals with a history of high blood pressure in their 30s to 40s with those who had healthy and normal blood pressure.
The study found that the high blood pressure individuals had lower regional brain volumes and poorer white matter integrity, both of which are associated with dementia.
Additionally, the negative brain changes were more pronounced in male individuals, possibly due to the protective effects of estrogen before menopause.
Minimize your dementia risks
Recognizing modifiable risk factors like high blood pressure is crucial for reducing the burden of dementia.
Taking early steps to address hypertension is essential for maintaining brain health in the long term.
