Optimal blood pressure helps our brains age slower
Optimal blood pressure helps our brains stay at least six months younger
than our actual age

Date:
October 12, 2021
Source:
Australian National University
Summary:
People with elevated blood pressure that falls within the
normal recommended range are at risk of accelerated brain aging,
according to new research. The research also found optimal blood
pressure helps our brains stay at least six months younger than
our actual age.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== People with elevated blood pressure that falls within the normal
recommended range are at risk of accelerated brain ageing, according to
new research from The Australian National University (ANU).


==========================================================================
The research also found optimal blood pressure helps our brains stay at
least six months younger than our actual age. The researchers are now
calling for national health guidelines to be updated to reflect their
important findings.

The ANU study, published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, found
participants with high blood pressure had older and therefore less healthy brains, increasing their risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia.

Participants with an elevated blood pressure, but within the normal range,
also had older looking brains and were at risk of health problems.

"This thinking that one's brain becomes unhealthy because of high blood pressure later in life is not completely true," Professor Nicolas
Cherbuin, Head of the ANU Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and
Wellbeing, said.

"It starts earlier and it starts in people who have normal blood
pressure." Normal blood pressure is defined by pressure below 120/80,
whereas an optimal and healthier blood pressure is closer to 110/70.



==========================================================================
The new research comes after a large international study found the number
of people over 30 with high blood pressure has doubled globally.

Cardiologist and co-author of the study, Professor Walter Abhayaratna,
said if we maintain optimal blood pressure our brains will remain younger
and healthier as we age.

"It's important we introduce lifestyle and diet changes early on in life
to prevent our blood pressure from rising too much, rather than waiting
for it to become a problem," he said.

"Compared to a person with a high blood pressure of 135/85, someone with
an optimal reading of 110/70 was found to have a brain age that appears
more than six months younger by the time they reach middle age." The ANU
team, in collaboration with colleagues in Australia, New Zealand and
Germany, examined more than 2,000 brain scans of 686 healthy individuals
aged 44 to 76.



==========================================================================
The blood pressure of the participants was measured up to four times
across a 12-year period. The brain scan and blood pressure data was used
to determine a person's brain age, which is a measure of brain health.

Lead author, Professor Cherbuin, said the findings highlight a particular concern for young people aged in their 20s and 30s because it takes time
for the effects of increased blood pressure to impact 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 the effects of
elevated blood pressure must build up over many years and could start in
their 20s. This means that a young person's brain is already vulnerable,"
he said.

Professor Abhayaratna said the research findings show the need for
everyone, including young people, to check their blood pressure regularly.

"Australian adults should take the opportunity to check their blood
pressure at least once a year when they see their GP, with an aim to
ensure that their target blood pressure is closer to 110/70, particularly
in younger and middle age groups," he said.

"If your blood pressure levels are elevated, you should
take the opportunity to speak with your GP about ways to
reduce your blood pressure, including the modification
of lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Australian_National_University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Nicolas Cherbuin, Erin I. Walsh, Marnie Shaw, Eileen Luders,
Kaarin J.

Anstey, Perminder S. Sachdev, Walter P. Abhayaratna, Christian
Gaser.

Optimal Blood Pressure Keeps Our Brains Younger. Frontiers in
Aging Neuroscience, 2021; 13 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.694982 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211012112239.htm

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