Dementia is a type of health issue that affects people on the cognitive level. Some research though indicates individuals with high blood pressure are at a higher risk of Dementia. This is because the ailment could cause the brain to age faster. Some of the research conducted by the University of California Davis indicates that as a person become middle aged, even slightly higher than normal blood pressure can be a problem.
If there is no intervention, such individuals are at a very high risk for the brain aging faster than it would normally do so. This is due to the fact that the arteries get hard and stiff and that makes the risk of heart disease up to 49% higher than normal. The risk of cerebrovascular disease increases by about 62%.
According to Medical News Today, this is the largest risk for someone dying at a younger age. Over 50 million people are at risk which is why it is so important to get this message out there. This can result in a person suffering from Dementia as well as other cognitive problems as they get older. The problems will continue to get worse too as a person gets older, and thus reduce the overall quality of life.
How High Blood Pressure Affects the Aging Process of the Brain
Studies have been done involving around 600 individuals that span over three generations. Most of those participating where in the late 30s. The individuals were also broken down based on their blood pressure reading. This included those with normal, pre-hypertensive, and high blood pressure levels. Some other variables were also taken into consideration including the use of medications and smoking.
Each participant was given an MRI to scan the brain in order to identify and measure any brain injuries. The results showed that those with higher blood pressure levels were more likely to show signs of brain injury than those with blood pressure that was identified as being in the normal range.
As a result, many experts feel that the younger a person is when they recognize the dangers of high blood pressure, the better. Monitoring and controlling blood pressure through routine checkups and testing is very important. Those individuals with a family history of high blood pressure need to make sure they keep a very close eye on it from a young age.
Tips to Help Naturally Control Blood Pressure
It is wise to take steps to naturally control high blood pressure. This will help to prevent white matter of the brain from developing and adversely harming the central nervous system. Eating right and getting daily exercise are key parts of controlling blood pressure naturally. Getting enough sleep and reducing stress will also help to get it to a normal level which is going to improve overall health.
A daily supplement of Vitamin D can help to reduce blood pressure. You can also increase your level of Vitamin D by spending 30 minutes a day in the sunlight. Eating a papaya daily can also provide you with some help due to the volume of potassium that it contains. This is a recommendation of the American Heart Association worth implementing.
Based on studies, watermelon extract as a daily supplement can also help with reducing high blood pressure. At the same time, it can aid with overall functionality of the arteries. The daily recommended dose is 4 grams of watermelon extract daily for the best results. A study conducted in 2005 indicates that consuming coconut water can help as well.
