A recent study that was posted on the European Heart Journal stated that the middle-aged adults with high blood pressure may increase the chance of developing Dementia in their later years. To add, there were 8,639 adults involved in the study, whose blood pressures were checked from time to time within the period of 32 years, since 1985.
High Blood Pressure Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are approximately 75 million American adults who are diagnosed with high blood pressure. The Blood Pressure UK noted that in the year 2017, the number of high blood pressure patients had already reached to 1.1 billion people globally, and the UK has the lowest rates in Europe. Also, The Heart Foundation said that in 2014 and 2015, almost 6 million Australians were found to have high blood pressure. Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) declared that there were about a total of 7.5 million deaths all over the world due to hypertension.
About The Recent Study
It is a common fact that an ideal high blood pressure is a scale between 90/60 and 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The University College London’s (UCL) study displayed that adults with the systolic pressure of 130 mmHg and above were considered 45% more prone to the danger of developing Dementia.
The Scientists had also concluded that even a slightly raised blood pressure over the long haul may perhaps, lead to the said disorder. Some researchers believe that it may be because of silent or mini strokes that may be experienced by the hypertension patient at any moment.
In fact, an article re-posted on the Science Daily appealed that these mini strokes, also known as Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), and characterized as temporary blockage of blood flow in the brain, may strike some of the brain functions.
Furthermore, the research associate in dementia and epidemiology from the University College London (UCL), Dr. Jessica Abell, mentioned that the past studies and investigations did not totally determine the link between raised blood pressure and the development of Dementia. She said that they were only able to examine some different patterns of the connection between the two health complications, and its relevance to the mid-life stage.
On the other hand, Dr. Laura Phipps from the Alzheimer’s Research UK added that this study shows the middle age as an important specific aperture for the impact of high blood pressure on the brain health. She had also suggested that it is very essential for every adult, including those who ages 50, 60, or 70 to get their health and habits monitored and controlled every now and then. She encouraged the people to be aware and be disciplined, especially because the diseases that causes Dementia get under way in the brain many years before the symptoms would appear.
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