Having trouble with your memory? A new study suggests that if your memory is not what it used to be, you should be getting your blood pressure checked. In last week’s Neurology Journal, the authors, who are following 20,000 patients, found the people with blood pressures above normal were more likely to have a decline in their cognition, or ability to think. Let’s take a look at this study and see what applies to all of us.
The data that led to this article comes from the REGARDS study – or the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke – a study that is looking at a group of people 45 years and older to follow risks for stroke.
Looking at the data, the authors noticed that people with a high diastolic blood pressure had a significantly increased chance of having declines on tests of memory and thinking skills.
In fact, for every 10% increase in diastolic blood pressure over 90, there was a 7% increased risk of having cognitive, or thinking, problems.
Why would an increase in the blood pressure produce memory problems?
It is theorized that the increased blood pressure creates small areas of brain damage because capillaries – which are the very smallest blood vessels – are damaged by the increased blood pressure.
What should we do with this information?
It has long been speculated that memory problems were related to high blood pressure and worsening of the memory – that used to be called “hardening of the arteries.” However the correlation in this study is quite impressive.
Based on this study and previous work, the things one can do to help with preventing possible memory problems are:
1) Get your blood pressure checked every month or so at a free blood pressure screening
2) Keep your blood pressure less than 140/90 – that was the normal blood pressure in the article
3) If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90, talk to your physician about the ways you could treat your high blood pressure
4) Exercise and keep at an ideal weight to help keep your blood pressure down
5) If your physician has you on blood pressure medications, be sure and take them as directed
The study also talks about strokes – high blood pressure can cause strokes as well. It is important to know how to recognize a stroke – and what to do:
Strokes are basically “brain attacks,” and just like heart attacks, we should go directly to the emergency room by calling 911 if we think we are having a stroke.
Symptoms for strokes can include
• Numbness or weakness on one side or the other
• Changes in vision such as losing sight on one side
• Confusion or inability to speak
Once the symptoms start, we only have 3 hours to give the clot busting drug that can help – so getting in immediately is crucial. Porter Adventist Hospital has the processes to do rapid stroke care in place, and we are applying to be certified as primary stroke center.
For more information on this topic, or to see the broadcast from Channel 7 this week, here are some helpful links:
Good health
Dr. Dianne
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 am
The studies seem to suggest there is a causal link between high blood pressure and memory deterioration although there is no evidence to back this theory. Many of the foods that are known to reduce blood pressure, such as fish oils, are also known to improve memory. Memory impairment and higher blood pressure is probably an indication of a dietary lack.
Regards, Simon