High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is often associated with heart disease and stroke, but recent research has shown that high blood pressure in your 30s can also have serious implications for your brain health in your 70s. A new study has found that people who have high blood pressure in their 30s are more likely to experience poor cognitive function and brain damage later in life. This article explores the findings of the study and what you can do to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and protect your brain health.
A recent study from UC Davis indicates that having high blood pressure in one’s 30s can greatly affect brain health later in life, with men being particularly vulnerable. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, looked at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans of older adults, with some having high blood pressure in their early 30s and others having normal blood pressure. The research found that the group with high blood pressure had significantly lower regional brain volumes and worse white matter integrity in their MRI scans, both of which are associated with the development of dementia. The study also found that some of the negative changes in certain brain regions, such as in decreased grey matter volume and frontal cortex volume, were stronger in men. This difference may be related to the protective benefits of estrogen before menopause.
According to the researchers, identifying modifiable risk and protective factors over the course of one’s life is important in reducing the burden of dementia, as treatment options for the disease are limited. High blood pressure, which occurs when blood pressure is higher than normal, is a treatable risk factor associated with dementia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 47% of adults in the United States have hypertension, with rates varying by race and sex.
The study considered data from 427 participants from the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) study and the Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans (STAR) from the period between 1964 and 1985. The researchers obtained two blood pressure readings from when participants were between the ages of 30 and 40, allowing them to determine whether they had been hypertensive, transitioning to hypertension or had normal blood pressure in their youth. Neuroimaging biomarkers were scanned using MRI from 2017 to 2022 to look for late-life neurodegeneration and white matter integrity.
The study joins a growing body of evidence that cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood can be detrimental to late-life brain health. The researchers note that the study had some limitations, including the small sample size which did not permit an exploration of racial and ethnic differences. They also warn that interpretation of the results regarding sex differences should be done with caution. The MRI data was only available from a single point in time late in life, meaning that it can only detect volumetric differences, not direct evidence of neurodegeneration over time.
Rachel Whitmer, the senior author of the study, comments that early-life risk factors are highly significant: “This study truly demonstrates the importance of early life risk factors, and that to age well, you need to take care of yourself throughout life — heart health is brain health.” She is a professor in both the departments of Public Health Sciences and Neurology and the chief of the Division of Epidemiology as well as the associate director of the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center. The study points to the need for individuals to care for their heart health in order to promote healthy brain aging later in life.
In conclusion, high blood pressure in your 30s can have detrimental effects on your brain health in your 70s. This study highlights the importance of taking control of your health early on and making necessary lifestyle changes to prevent the development of high blood pressure. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and stress management techniques can go a long way in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. It’s never too late to start taking care of your health, and investing in your well-being now can pay off in the long run. So, make your health a priority and take steps towards a healthier and happier future.
