Scientist Now Finds Link Between Hypertension and Increased Brain Damage

(Newswire.net — September 22, 2021) Orlando, FL — Previous research studies have shown a link between the brain and some diseases like high blood pressure. Experts have long been warning against this condition as it is a major risk factor for heart disease.

A study was performed by researchers and published in the European Heart Journal.

In this study, it has been found that there is a link between higher than normal blood pressure and more extensive brain damage in the elderly. 

More particularly, the research has shown a strong link between diastolic blood pressure before the age of 50 and brain damage in later life. Diastolic blood pressure, which in the study was within what is normally considered to be a healthy range, pertains to the blood pressure between heartbeats.

These findings come from research involving 37,041 participants enrolled in UK Biobank, which is a large group of people recruited from the general population aged between 40 and 69 years. The researchers obtained medical information, including MRI brain scans from these subjects.

It was carried out by Dr. Karolina Wartolowska, a clinical research fellow at the Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, University of Oxford, UK. In the study, she was trying to look for damage in the brain called “white matter hyperintensities” (WMH). 

The WMH was seen on the MRI brain scans as brighter regions. Further, they indicate damage to the small blood vessels in the brain that goes up with age and blood pressure. It is worth keeping in mind the WMH is linked with an increased risk of stroke, depression, dementia, physical disabilities, and a decline in thinking abilities.

Further, it is worth noting that information on the participants was gathered when they enrolled in UK Biobank between March 2006 and October 2010.

“To compare the volume of white matter hyperintensities between people and to adjust the analysis for the fact that people’s brains vary slightly in size, we divided the volume of WMH by the total volume of white matter in the brain. In that way, we could analyze the WMH load, which is the proportion of the WMH volume to the total volume of white matter,” said Dr. Wartolowska.

Today, researchers increasingly look into the techniques beneficial in fighting hypertension and enhancing overall brain health protection. 

It is important to note that in many studies, ensuring proper nutrition is key to accomplishing this. There are nutrients like B vitamins found to be particularly beneficial. These vitamins have long been studied due to their disease-fighting potentials.

Some studies have shown certain B vitamins aid in the management of blood pressure levels. They may be obtained through the use of extra-strength formulas like Divine Bounty B Vitamin Complex.

It contains Choline, Pantothenic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin, and vitamin B6 (amazon.com/dp/B07414752B).