High blood pressure’s link to dementia
As we get older, it’s inevitable that we’ll experience a bit of memory loss. The brain, just like every other part of our bodies, loses some of its ability to function at peak levels. But severe symptoms could be a sign of dementia, and one cause might be surprising: high blood pressure.
In fact, hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors for dementia.
“It’s important to understand why hypertension can lead to cognitive decline,” says Dr. Amanda Fletcher, a fellowship-trained neurologist with Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute. Why the connection? The brain receives about 20 percent of the body’s blood supply. If anything blocks or slows that blood flow, the brain can be hurt. With uncontrolled blood pressure, the vessels can become scarred, narrowed or diseased.
Numerous studies have shown that hypertension increases the risk for cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, participants with hypertension were nearly three times as likely to experience cognitive decline when assessed after four years.
When to worry
“Most of us misplace our keys or forget a name every now and then,” Dr.
Fletcher says. “But if you start noticing persistent and troubling symptoms, it may be time to see a doctor.”
Watch for:
• Changes in memory that are different or more extreme than usual
• Difficulty communicating (not being able to find words, etc.)
• Getting lost
• Trouble completing everyday tasks If you have hypertension and are
struggling with cognitive issues, you should see a healthcare provider for evaluation and better control of your blood pressure.
When blood pressure is managed through medication, diet, weight loss and/or exercise, impairment symptoms may improve or, in best-case scenarios, even disappear.
“If the damage is permanent,” Dr. Fletcher says, “the goal is to keep it from getting worse.”