A study of 7,000 adults looking at the effect of elevated blood pressure and cognitive function was recently published in the journal Hypertension. We have known about the detrimental effects of hypertension (blood pressure at or above 130/80) on the heart, but a team of Brazilian researchers also found that hypertension can lead to a faster decline in memory, verbal abilities, attention span, and concentration.
The researchers also found that elevated pressure for short periods of time was dangerous for the brain. They found this to be true even in young adults, and in people who had “pre-hypertension” (blood pressure at or above 120/80 but below 130/80). The only safe (normal) blood pressure is less than 120/80. Therefore, it is important to do whatever it takes to control high blood pressure, at any age.
