We’ve all heard of hypertension or high blood pressure, commonly called ‘the silent killer.’
But did you know that this common condition can also be a major brain killer? Sure, it can affect the heart significantly, but turns out that hypertension may have even more damaging effects on the brain.
Chronic high blood pressure can cause cognitive decline, neurological problems, and even threaten your life.
So let’s get into it. Here are five ways hypertension can jeopardize your brain, from white matter lesions to microbleeds.
1. Hypertension and Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia occurs when blood flow has been cut off to your brain. It usually happens as a result of a stroke or lifelong hypertension. Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, making it harder for them to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
This, in turn, may lead to brain cell death, which can cause confusion, trouble making decisions, and memory loss.
So the main thing to do here is pretty straightforward. Focus your energies on getting your hypertension down, through a combination of lifestyle changes and medications, if needed.
2. White Matter Lesions
Speaking of hypertension, it’s a significant contributor to what are called ‘white matter lesions.’ If you haven’t heard of these, they’re basically small areas of damage found in your brain’s white matter. They can be a problem when they start to interfere with your brain’s different regions, contributing to cognitive problems.
Lesions are most noticeable in how they affect cognitive ability. From slowed processing speed to memory trouble, lack of planning ability, and other thinking challenges, white matter lesions can become very severe.
If you suspect you might be dealing with these lesions, speak to your doctor. Getting an MRI can help detect them.
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3. Microbleeds
Called “micro” for a reason, these cerebral bleeds are very tiny, often without symptoms. The main reason for this is hypertension. Over time, high blood pressure can cause what is called small vessel disease, which in turn may lead to the leakage and rupturing of vessels.
If left unchecked or untreated, microbleeds can lead to significant brain damage. So be vigilant about your blood pressure. If you notice additional symptoms like trouble thinking, confusion, balance issues, or headaches, microbleeds may be to blame.
4. Increased Stroke Risk
If you didn’t know, hypertension leads to the two main types of stroke: ischemia and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic is caused by blockages while hemorrhagic is caused by bleeding, and unfortunately, hypertension doesn’t discriminate. If the blood flow to your brain is interrupted, a stroke may result.
In some cases, fatty accumulations in your arteries make them narrow, causing higher risks of blood clots in your brain. High blood pressure can also cause your blood vessels to burst (not good) which causes brain bleeding.
If you experience speech difficulties, severe cognitive impairments, or paralysis, seek medical attention immediately.
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5. Cognitive Decline and Memory Loss
This one relates to a lot of what we’re talking about, so it’s pretty easy to understand. Basically, hypertension can lead to a decline in cognitive function and memory. With decreased blood flow, your brain doesn’t work as well, causing all the cognitive problems you can imagine.
Neurodegeneration is the primary term used to describe this. If you’re dealing with neurodegeneration, consider new ways to manage your blood pressure, as well as other mentally stimulating activities like mindfulness, puzzles, and memory apps.
Lumosity is a great one that can challenge people of all ages, walks of life, and mental capacities.
Another important thing to do is to control your diet for brain-healthy foods. These could be fruits, veggies, meats, nuts – you name it. Some of the best to consider are blueberries, fatty fish, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, turmeric, oranges, eggs, green tea, and yes, dark chocolate.
And of course, don’t forget to exercise regularly and sleep!
When it comes to guarding your brain against hypertension, it’s all about a full-spectrum approach. Medication can surely help, but if you’re living a completely unhealthy life, it’s probably not going to save you.
The key is to string good decisions after good decisions, day after day. In due time, your body and brain will thank you more than you could ever realize!
