High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a growing health concern across the globe, especially in India. In India, one in every five individuals is found to have high blood pressure.?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, has often been described as a "silent killer," meaning that it causes great damage to the body with little to no alarming signs. ¡°While there is great concern for the link between high blood pressure and heart diseases, the impact on brain health is agonizing. Unchecked hypertension becomes a huge threat that can cause strokes, vascular dementia, and even Alzheimer's disease,¡± says Dr. Vinit Banga, Director of Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Faridabad.?
The brain depends heavily on a continuous supply of blood to function optimally. Dr. Banga shares, ¡°Hypertension acts to damage the blood vessels over time, which leads to impaired delivery of oxygen and nutrients.¡± With this, we have:
1. Stroke and Mini-Strokes (TIAs): When high blood pressure is left uncontrolled, it damages the arteries, thus increasing the risk of their blockage and rupture. There will be a stroke when blood supply is in some way cut off from other parts of the brain, resulting in brain cell death. Even small unnoticed strokes can lead to significant brain cell damage, a TIA.
2. Vascular Dementia: Persistent high blood pressure causes the arteries to become narrow and hardened, subsequently restricting blood flow to the brain, which can lead to vascular dementia. This is the second-most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer's, featuring memory loss, confusion, and impaired reasoning.
3. Higher Risk of Alzheimer's Disease: New studies suggest a close relationship between hypertension and Alzheimer's. Chronic high blood pressure creates an acceleration of amyloid plaques, a hallmark symptom of Alzheimer's disease, resulting in cognitive decline over time.
4. Damage to White Matter: Hypertension can cause changes in the white matter of the brain, due to its importance in terms of facilitation in the communication between brain states. This usually creates risks for cognitive impairment, depression, and mobility issues.
Blood pressure control is very important to ensure a preventive measure against neurological risks. Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, Neurologist, Neuromet Wellness Care Centre, Gurgaon, points out, ¡°Lifestyle corrections, which include diet control, physical exercise, relaxation techniques, and supplemental use of supplements such as DHA and EPA, can be incorporated into daily life.¡±
¡°To manage high blood pressure, it is crucial to focus on lifestyle alterations such as eating habits, following a heart-healthy diet, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, getting good quality sleep, and eating potassium-rich foods,¡± he adds.
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