Already responsible for heart attacks and strokes, experts now reveal our brains could also be at risk from hypertension
Do you know your number? no, not your bra size or the amount of Facebook friends you have. we’re talking about your blood pressure. Knowing your stats is key for staying healthy. already strongly associated with heart disease and strokes, a 2018 study has potentially linked high blood pressure levels to dementia, and more specifically, Alzheimer's disease. Could cognitive decline be avoided by keeping an eye on blood pressure? we find out...
A GROWING PROBLEM
These studies are particularly concerning when looking at the 1,3 billion adults who suffer from raised blood pressure globally – most of whom aren’t even aware that they have the condition. According to The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, a massive one in three South Africans have high blood pressure.
FINDING A LINK
Until quite recently, high blood pressure levels have been linked to the development of vascular dementia, which is caused by insufficient oxygen and nutrients reaching the brain due to blocked blood vessels and poor blood flow (often after a stroke). The devastating impact of this – where brain cells are damaged and eventually killed – is cognitive difficulty, impaired judgement and even memory loss.
This story is from the April 2019 edition of Essentials.
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This story is from the April 2019 edition of Essentials.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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