Brain In The News

Higher Blood Pressure? Higher Chance of Memory Problems

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September 07, 2009

By Daniel G. Amen, MD      

High blood pressure has long been linked to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. But did you know that it can also signal a heightened risk for cognitive impairment? New research in the journal _Neurology_ shows that people as young as 45 with hypertension are more likely to experience problems with memory and thinking skills. In particular, people with high diastolic blood pressure (the number on the bottom) are at greater risk than people with normal readings. For every 10-percent increase in the diastolic reading, the odds of an individual having cognitive problems jumped by 7 percent. Blood pressure levels are categorized as follows: Optimal: below 120/80 Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89 Hypertension: 140/90 or above According to the researchers, preventing or treating high blood pressure could potentially prevent the cognitive impairment that can lead to dementia. About one-third of American adults have high blood pressure, so this study should be a wake-up call to millions of people. In addition to taking medication to treat high blood pressure, there are a number of things you can do on a day-to-day basis to lower blood pressure, including: * Reducing the amount of salt in your diet * Getting regular exercise * Using stress-management techniques * Quitting smoking * Losing weight Protect your memory. Do your best to prevent and treat high blood pressure. To your brain health, Daniel

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