High blood pressure causes brain aging

According to a recent study, the high blood pressure affects the structure of the brain even the early middle age.
 
 High blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher to maintain and / or diastolic blood pressure was maintained between 90 and older.


The researchers surveyed 500 people at an average age of 39 years old. were divided into 3 groups: normal blood pressure, prehypertension and hypertension. They were monitoring blood pressure and brain imaging study using magnetic resonance method is then scanned the brain.

Results showed that high blood pressure who have suffered brain damage as seen in white and gray brain damaged significantly. A frontal white matter in an average decline of about 6% compared to the average person. The gray matter in the frontal and temporal lobes of the high blood pressure is less than the average 9% compared to the average person.

So far, the reason why the brain damage is still unclear. Scientists speculate that the brain damage can be caused by hardening of the arteries in people with high blood pressure. It will restrict blood flow to certain areas of the brain.

High blood pressure causes brain aging - 1

According to the scientists needed to control blood pressure right from the start.

According to Pauline Maillard, at the UC Davis Department of Neurology, lead author of the study: "The health of the brain in people with high blood pressure 33 is equivalent to the brains of 40 people with normal blood pressure and high blood pressure caused brain aging earlier than seven years. "

Therefore, to adjust hypertension experts recommend maintaining a healthy weight, eat more fruits and vegetables, moderate drinking of alcoholic beverages, reduce stress, decrease tobacco and hard workouts.

The study was published in Lancet Neurology.