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People with high blood pressure who are in the recommended normal range are at risk of accelerating brain aging, according to a study from the Australian National University.
The ANU team, together with colleagues from Australia, New Zealand and Germany, examined more than 2,000 brain scans of 686 healthy people aged 44 to 76.
The participants’ blood pressure was measured up to four times over a 12-year period. Data from the brain scan and blood pressure were used to determine a person’s brain age, which is a measure of brain health.
Research found that participants with high blood pressure, but within the normal range, also had older-looking brains and were at risk for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Optimal blood pressure helps our brains stay at least six months younger than our actual age, researchers say.
Researchers are now calling for national health guidelines to be updated to reflect their important findings.
The results were published in The frontiers of the neurosciences of aging. “This thought that the brain becomes unhealthy because of high blood pressure later in life is not entirely true. It starts earlier, and it starts in people who have normal blood pressure,” said Professor Nicolas Cherbuin, Director of the Center for Research on Aging, Health and Well-being at ANU.
Normal blood pressure is defined as pressure below 120/80, while optimal and healthier blood pressure is closer to 110/70.
The new research comes after a large international study found that the number of people over the age of 30 with high blood pressure has doubled worldwide.
Cardiologist and study co-author Professor Walter Abhayaratna said that if we maintain optimal blood pressure, our brains will stay younger and healthier as we age.
“It’s important that we introduce lifestyle and diet changes early in life to keep our blood pressure from rising too much, rather than waiting for it to become a problem,” he said.
“Compared to a person with high blood pressure of 135/85, a person with an optimal reading of 110/70 was found to have a brain age that appears to be over six months younger by the time they reach age. way. “
Lead author Professor Cherbuin said the findings highlight a particular concern for young people between the ages of 20 and 30, as it takes time for the effects of increased blood pressure to affect the brain. .
“By detecting the impact of increased blood pressure on the brain health of people in their 40s and older, we have to assume that the effects of high blood pressure must build up over many years and could begin in the next decade. around twenty. This means that a young person’s brain is already vulnerable, ”he said.
Prof Abhayaratna said the research results show the need for everyone, including young people, to regularly check their blood pressure.
“Australian adults should take the opportunity to check their blood pressure at least once a year when they see their GP, with the aim of ensuring that their target blood pressure is closer to 110/70, by especially among younger and middle-aged groups. ” he said.
“If your blood pressure is high, you should take this opportunity to discuss with your GP about ways to lower your blood pressure, including changing lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity.”
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