Study: Controlling Blood Pressure Protects Against Dementia

A groundbreaking scientific study has highlighted the crucial importance of regulating blood pressure levels in preserving brain function and preventing cognitive decline. Indeed, this research has demonstrated that maintaining stable and well-managed blood pressure not only safeguards the brain but also significantly reduces the likelihood of developing dementia as individuals age.
-
Exercising at a Certain Age Protects Against High Blood Pressure
-
Study: Fast-Food Workers More Prone to Obesity and Hypertension
This extensive study was conducted by a team of researchers specializing in neurology and cardiology from Wake Forest University, located in the United States. It was carried out on a large sample of over 9,300 adults suffering from high blood pressure, and its findings were published in the prestigious scientific journal Neurology, renowned for its authoritative publications in the field of neuroscience.
Over a period spanning seven consecutive years, researchers meticulously tracked the evolution of each participant’s medical data, taking into account multiple physiological and cognitive parameters. The study paid special attention to the brain health of the volunteers, whose average age was 50 years, correlating their blood pressure levels with their cognitive and memory-related abilities.
As part of this research, the participants were systematically divided into two distinct groups to evaluate the impact of blood pressure control on brain function:
- The first group received medical treatment aimed at maintaining systolic blood pressure at an optimal level of 120 mmHg.
- The second group, on the other hand, followed a treatment designed to stabilize blood pressure at a higher threshold of 140 mmHg.
At the conclusion of the study, the results proved to be highly insightful. It was observed that individuals in the first group, who benefited from stricter blood pressure control, exhibited healthier brain function and demonstrated higher cognitive performance compared to those in the second group. These findings suggest that long-term management of blood pressure plays a crucial role in preventing cognitive disorders, including dementia and memory impairments.
-
Including Bananas: Potassium-Rich Foods That Control Blood Pressure
-
This is how you control your blood pressure naturally
Factors Contributing to Dementia Development
From a medical standpoint, dementia is a complex condition that can be triggered by various factors, whether environmental, biological, or genetic. Some of the most commonly identified causes by researchers include:
- Head Trauma: Severe blows to the head can cause brain damage that affects cognitive abilities in the long run.
- Vascular Diseases: Poor blood circulation can restrict the supply of oxygen and essential nutrients to the brain, gradually leading to functional impairments.
- Genetic Predisposition: Certain inherited genetic traits can play a significant role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, increasing the risk of dementia.
Additionally, strokes and cardiovascular diseases serve as aggravating factors, substantially heightening the probability of developing severe forms of dementia. Strokes, in particular, can inflict irreversible damage on brain regions responsible for memory retention and logical reasoning, thereby exacerbating the symptoms of the disease.