Higher blood pressure increases brain aging speed! Australian study

Recently, a study published by scholars from the Australian National University showed that if a person's blood pressure rises, even within the normal range, it will accelerate brain aging.

In this study, researchers estimated brain age (BrainAGE) using machine learning methods.

The results showed that if a person maintains good blood pressure, his brain will be at least half a year younger than his actual age.

Those with elevated blood pressure often have older, unhealthier brains, and are at increased risk for stroke and dementia.

Even a small increase in blood pressure, within the normal range, can make the brain look older and increase the risk of other health problems.

Studies show that people with blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg have younger brains in middle age compared to those with blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg.

Researchers believe that the effects of blood pressure on brain health are cumulative, suggesting that harm begins early in life, even when blood pressure is within normal range.

Global studies have shown that the proportion of people suffering from hypertension over the age of 30 is relatively high.

The researchers pointed out that this study suggests that young people in their 20s and 30s should pay special attention to blood pressure. This also means that the brain is more fragile and should be protected from a young age.

A study published in Hypertension also confirmed the importance of paying attention to blood pressure early on.

The study showed that people who were diagnosed with high blood pressure between the ages of 35 and 44 had smaller brain volume and a higher risk of dementia, while those diagnosed with high blood pressure before the age of 35 had the greatest reduction in brain volume.

The Australian study included 335 healthy middle-aged people aged 44 to 46 and 351 healthy older people, 52% of whom were women and 46% of whom were older. The participants underwent four brain scans at the beginning of the study and during the 12-year follow-up.

Source: China Circulation Magazine