High blood pressure or hypertension is often perceived as a disease that affects older people. However, recent research has shown that the condition can also impact people in their 30s and 40s. Moreover, chronically high blood pressure during middle age can have significant implications for the long-term health of the brain. A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with high blood pressure in their 30s are at a heightened risk of suffering from cognitive decline in their 70s. In this article, we will delve into the study’s findings and explore the implications of high blood pressure on brain health in middle-aged people.
A new study by researchers at UC Davis has found that high blood pressure in your 30s may result in worse brain health around the age of 75, especially for men. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans of older adults who had high blood pressure between the ages of 30 to 40 versus those with normal blood pressure. The researchers found that the group with high blood pressure had significantly lower regional brain volumes and worse white matter integrity – both factors are associated with dementia. The study also shows that the negative brain changes in some regions, such as decreased grey matter volume and frontal cortex volume, were stronger in men, which may be related to the protective benefits of estrogen before menopause.
Treatment for dementia is extremely limited, so identifying modifiable risk and protective factors over the life course is key to reducing disease burden. High blood pressure is an incredibly common and treatable risk factor associated with dementia. This study indicates hypertension status in early adulthood is important for brain health decades later.” said first author Kristen M. George, an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal. A normal blood pressure level is less than 130/80 mmHg. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 47% of adults in the United States have hypertension. The rate of high blood pressure varies by sex and race. About 50% of men have high blood pressure compared to 44% of women. The rate of hypertension is about 56% in Black adults, 48% in white adults, 46% in Asian adults, and 39% in Hispanic adults. African Americans between the ages of 35 to 64 years are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than whites.
The researchers looked at 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). This provided them with health data from 1964 to 1985 for a diverse cohort of older Asian, Black, Latino, and white adults. They obtained two blood pressure readings from when the participants were between the ages of 30 to 40. This allowed them to determine if they had been hypertensive, transitioning to hypertensive, or had normal blood pressure in young adulthood. MRI scans of the participants conducted between 2017 and 2022 allowed them to look for late-life neuroimaging biomarkers of neurodegeneration and white matter integrity.
Compared to participants with normal blood pressure, the brain scans of those transitioning to high blood pressure or with high blood pressure showed lower cerebral gray matter volume, frontal cortex volume, and fractional anisotropy (a measure of brain connectivity). The scores for men with high blood pressure were lower than those for women. The researchers note that due to the sample size, they could not examine racial and ethnic differences and recommended interpreting results regarding sex differences with caution. They also note that the MRI data was only available from one time-point late in life. This can only determine physical properties like volumetric differences, not specific evidence of neurodegeneration over time.
“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,” said Rachel Whitmer, senior author of the study. “We are excited to be able to continue following these participants and to uncover more about what one can do in early life to set yourself up for healthy brain aging in late life,” Whitmer said.
In conclusion, this study provides valuable information that can aid in the prevention of dementia. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout life, as this can help prevent hypertension, a major risk factor associated with dementia. Initiatives that promote healthy living, such as exercise and a balanced diet, can help promote overall physical and mental health, ultimately leading to healthy aging.
In conclusion, it is crucial to take steps to monitor and manage high blood pressure in your 30s to preserve brain health in your later years. This study highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and monitoring blood pressure levels. Awareness and prevention are key in preventing potential negative impacts on brain health. With proper care and attention, we can maintain a healthy brain and continue to lead fulfilling lives well into our golden years.
