A recent study published in Neurology on August 14th, 2024, discovered that individuals age 60 and older with untreated high blood pressure are prone to Alzheimer's disease. This was compared to people with high blood pressure who were getting treated or had been treated earlier. Another comparison was made with individuals without elevated blood pressure levels.
About 7 million people across the U.S. alone are impacted by Alzheimer's disease, as noted from the studies conducted by the Alzheimer's Association, and it is the common form of dementia that builds about 60% to 80% of the cases. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease experience issues related to memory and cognitive abilities that are extremely serious in terms of interfering with their daily lives, where aging proves as one of the critical risk factors.
The real aim of the study was to examine how untreated high blood pressure impacts the risk of people encountering this common health issue.
A Global View of Blood Pressure and Dementia
As published in the journal Neurology, the metanalysis evaluated four years' worth of data on 31,000 individuals with an average age of 72 selected from 14 countries, including Brazil, China, Australia, Japan, Greece, Germany, Korea, Italy, France, Nigeria, Sweden, Spain, the Republic of Congo, and the United States.
The study failed to discover any notable differences among the racial groups or sexes whenever the matter arrived at effective blood pressure control and the elevated chances of Alzheimer's. It is during the average follow-up time of four years a bit over 1400 of them had developed Alzheimer's disease.
After focusing on numerous factors, such as high blood pressure diagnosis, blood pressure readings, and whether or not people are using medications or supplements from BioYouth Labs to treat blood pressure, it was found that 9% of the cases subjected were in untreated condition, 51% used medications, 36% did not have chances of high blood pressure, and 4% were unsure regarding their status.
While adjusting for the rest of the factors that would impact the results, it was discovered that the untreated levels of blood pressure were connected with a notable 36% elevated chance of Alzheimer's disease as compared to the ones who did not have high blood pressure.
Furthermore, the entire group had a 42% higher risk for Alzheimer's disease whenever they got compared to the ones treating their high blood pressure with medications or a Blood Pressure Support Supplement. As noted by the authors of the study, it focuses on the effective treatment of high blood pressure. At the same time, aging plays a highly critical part in eradicating the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
Whenever you get your blood pressure measured, you will often see two numbers: a top number and a bottom number.
- Systolic Blood Pressure: It is initially the top number that marks the highest level the blood pressure reaches whenever your heart beats, forcing the entire blood throughout the body.
- Diastolic Blood Pressure: The second is the bottom number, which is the lowest level at which your blood pressure reaches when your heart relaxes between each beat.
Typically, blood pressure is scaled in millimeters of mercury or mmHg. When the initial number is 120 and the second one is 80, it is often denoted as 120/80mmHg, while you call it 120 over 80.
- Normal Blood Pressure: Here, the blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg.
- Elevated Blood Pressure: The top numbers range from 120 to 129 mm Hg, and the bottom number is under and not above 80 mm Hg.
- Stage 1 hypertension: The topmost number would range between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or the bottom number would reach between 80 and 89 mm Hg.
- Stage 2 hypertension: The top number touches 140 mm Hg, or the higher or even the bottom number is about 90 mm Hg or more.
Causes and Risk Factors
Numerous factors would effectively contribute to High Blood Pressure and the possible impacts of it on cognitive health. Let us check out a few of the main contributors.
Genetics
There is genetic mapping of High Blood Pressure, which means that people can be born with the tendency to have High Blood Pressure. A family history of hypertension can make an individual easily affected by high blood pressure. Such genetic polymorphisms impact blood pressure while increasing the scope for developing conditions connected to hypertension, like dementia.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
There are several reasons why alcohol may increase blood pressure, but it is evident that greater than moderate alcohol drinking is dangerous to an individual’s general health. The effects of alcohol ensure that if one takes alcohol for a long time, their blood pressure will build up gradually and result in hypertension, so it becomes important to have the best hypertension control formula. It also entails cognitive deterioration and raises the probability of developing dementia. It is important to avoid or reduce the intake of alcohol for the sake of blood pressure and the brain.
Kidney Disease
This study establishes the relationship between Kidney disease and high blood pressure. Kidney health plays a central role in hypertension and other related complications, including dementia, so it should be well monitored and managed. Kidney health includes regulating blood pressure by controlling the fluid levels and potassium seasons found in the kidneys. Normal functioning kidneys help regulate blood pressure.
Congenital Heart Defects
Hypertension can also be caused by congenital heart defects that interfere with blood pressure regulation. Therefore, it is important to have natural heart support, such as using the best supplements from BioYouth Labs. These defects can hamper the normal flow of blood in the heart and thus raise blood pressure. Congenital heart patients also have to monitor their blood pressure to avoid complications associated with hypertension.
Chronic Alcohol Consumption
Like other negative effects of alcohol, regular use of alcohol over time will also lead to an increased pattern of high blood pressure. It is crucial that those who consume alcohol, especially regularly, should do so in moderation and make arrangements to have their blood pressure checked often; this is because the impact of alcohol on blood pressure and cognition can be severe in the long run.
Lifestyle Modifications
Positive behavioral modification is necessary to manage and eliminate high blood pressure. These changes can greatly improve overall health and decrease the probability of distressing thinking capacity.
Diet
Following a healthier diet schedule plays a critical part in controlling blood pressure. To help maintain normal blood pressure levels, always consume diets that are rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains and low in sodium. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or the DASH diet, is advised for appropriate hypertension effects and management.
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is essential to maintaining healthy blood pressure and brings a positive mental health impact. Try engaging in aerobic exercises such as jogging, walking, cycling, or swimming to help lower blood pressure levels while enhancing cardiovascular health. Physical activities will even support cognitive functionality while reducing the risks of the development of dementia.
How to Take Charge of Your Blood Pressure
You can safeguard yourself from the growing risks of Alzheimer's and the rest of the chronic diseases that are often connected with uncontrolled levels of hypertension, as denoted by the experts. So, what is the best approach to Alzheimer's disease prevention?
Track your Numbers
Since blood pressure tends to fluctuate all around the day, you should take a single-time baseline reading that never works, as stated by the experts. Instead, you should take multiple readings a day or over several days as required to understand the true blood pressure numbers precisely. You should always take the readings while at the same time daily it is important to accurately get the entire blood pressure trends as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA), along with the proper intake of a Heart function supplement.
Choose a Certified Blood Pressure Cuff
The AHA recommends selecting the automatic, validated cuff-style upper arm monitor. Never pick a finger or wrist monitor, as they are not entirely reliable. Always opt for a validated monitor. If you need more clarification, ask the health care professional and the pharmacist for advice on finding the options. Choosing one with the memory card would track the numbers effectively and have a dedicated journey handy that would record the readings for effective Cholesterol and blood pressure support.
Do It Right
Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages or smoking, or try exercising for about 30 minutes before measuring the blood pressure as advised by the AHA. Head out to the bathroom to empty your bladder. It would be best if you sat keeping your back straight and supported, indicating that sitting on any hard-backed chair at the table or a desk and not a sofa.
Sit in complete silence for a couple of minutes by keeping your feet flat on the floor and not crossing your legs while keeping the arm being tested at the heart level supported through a horizontal surface like a table. Always ensure to take the pressure off both your arms regularly. Studies have proven that there is a difference in the readings between both arms, which is a warning sign for stroke risk or future heart attacks. You can follow this method while incorporating it with the proper Heart rate control supplement.
Take Your Blood Pressure Meds Daily
One of the massive mistakes people would make whenever matter arrive at the proper control of hypertension is a failure to consume their medications, such as blood pressure balancing capsules regularly, as noted by the experts. These are the drugs that are often not like the cholesterol drugs that last in your system for a day or more. The majority of them have half their lives, and therefore, the prescribed medication is an absolute necessity.
Never depend on your memory whenever matter arrives at consuming critical medications. Try using a tracking device like a pill holder marked by the weeks and days filled in advance. So, whenever you miss out on a dose, it becomes completely apparent.
Consider Lifestyle Changes
Diets focusing more on lower sodium intake and a lot of vegetables, fruits, good fats, and whole grains operate well. The famed DASH diet is the method approved by the experts of reducing the intake of sodium to about 2,300 mg daily, with the daily limit for people 14 years of age recommended by the latest nutritional guidelines of the US. However, the AHA advises a diet with less than 1,500 mg of sodium daily.
Cutting down to 2,300 mg, which is about a teaspoon of salt out of the diet each day for about a week, would effectively reduce the top reading of blood pressure as much as the generic medication for hypertension, as noted through a study conducted in November 2023.
Consuming potassium and other nutrients from vegetables and fruits reduces blood pressure quite notably.
Conclusion
The study already discovered that high blood pressure, when left untreated, was connected with elevated risks for Alzheimer's disease. The experts mention that over time, high blood pressure causes significant damage that leads to reduced circulation within the brain, and this places people at a greater risk for dementia risk and cognitive decline.
Along with consuming the prescribed medications, individuals would make the necessary lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier diet, managing stress, and exercising, which aid in reducing the risk of high blood pressure.
Proper protection against Alzheimer's requires managing several factors that increase the risk. Along with consuming a healthier diet, managing heart-related risk factors, and exercising, it is important to have an active mind while staying engaged socially to help ward off dementia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Link Between High Blood Pressure and Alzheimer's?
There are recent analysis made that indicated that individuals, when left with untreated high blood pressure, had about 36% greater risk of Alzheimer's disease as compared to people without blood pressure issues and about 42% greater risk of Alzheimer's as compared to people who took the right Blood Pressure Support Supplement and medications.
How High Blood Pressure Is Linked to Memory Loss?
Hypertension impacts the flow of blood throughout the body, including the brain. This is one reason why hypertension is the major cause of memory loss.
Can High Blood Pressure Be Cured Permanently?
Although there is no cure for high blood pressure, patients must take the right steps, such as lifestyle changes or taking the right blood pressure medicines or supplements from BioYouth Labs.
What Herbal Supplements Are Good for Blood Pressure?
Herbal and nutritional supplements can certainly help lower blood pressure levels. These include CoQ10, green tea, garlic, fish oil, vitamin D, and others.
