High blood pressure threatens aging brain, study finds

Here is another reason to control his blood pressure: High blood pressure may contribute to blockages and entanglements of blood vessels related to Alzheimer's disease according to a new study.

In search of nearly 1,300 elderly people until their deaths, scientists discovered significantly higher risks of one or more brain lesions in people with high systolic blood pressure readings.

These lesions were dominated by infarctions. dead tissue caused by blood supply blockages that can trigger strokes.

Normal blood pressure is defined as 120/80 mm / Hg or lower. The higher number is known as systolic blood pressure (pressure in vessels during heart beats), while the smallest number is diastolic blood pressure (pressure between beats).

] blood pressure recommendations, defining arterial hypertension as 130/80 mm / Hg or higher.

"We have known for several decades that a higher blood pressure, especially younger in life, is related to stroke But we know much less about cerebrovascular disease and we wanted to examine the issue of blood pressure later in life, "said author of the study, Dr. Zoe Arvanitakis, she is medical director of the Rush Memory Clinic in Chicago

" I think this information is of great value to researchers studying brain changes in aging, "she added," and certainly highlights the need for much more research done. "

Arvanitakis and his team followed around 1300 people until their death, which occurred at an average age of nearly 89. Two-thirds of the participants, who were mostly women, had a history of high blood pressure.

Using post-mortem autopsy results of the participants, the researchers learned that 48 percent had one or more cerebral infarction lesions. lesions were higher in people with higher systolic blood pressure values ​​over the years

For example, in a person with an average systolic blood pressure of 147 mm / Hg compared to 134 mm / Hg. researchers also observed an increased risk of brain damage in patients with high diastolic blood pressure

. An badociation between higher systolic blood pressure in the years preceding the search for signs of Alzheimer's disease in autopsied brains. death and higher amounts of tangles – nodes of brain cells signifying the presence of the disease.

However, amyloid plaques, which also characterize a brain affected by Alzheimer's disease, were not related to blood pressure. Arvanitakis said that further studies are needed.

Ajay Misra is President of Neuroscience at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, New York. He described the study as "very important" and said that it should spark a crucial dialogue on how best to manage blood pressure in the elderly

. is out, but there are more questions than answers, "said Misra, who was not involved in the new research." This study was made to provoke such questioning. "

Misra noted that the study found that the rapid decrease in blood pressure in the elderly increased the risk of stroke.In his opinion, one of the potential reasons is that the arteries become less elastic as we get older , so a slightly higher blood pressure is needed for the blood to circulate properly.

"This reminds us that you can not publish. A set of guidelines on blood pressure is good for everyone, "he added. "I think it will be either age-specific on how blood pressure should be maintained, or there should be specific guidelines for the disease or circumstances."

The study was published online July 11 in the journal .