High Blood Pressure
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure can occur for a number of reasons, including poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, other medical conditions, or being overweight (or for several reasons at once). Ongoing hypertension may eventually damage small blood vessels within the brain, and that can impede blood flow, leading to atrophy of brain tissue. Over time, this damage could lead to cognitive impairment and even dementia.
A 20-year study found that hypertension in the fifties resulted in limited cognitive performance in the seventies. The same study stated that the risk of dementia increased if systolic blood pressure (the top number) was in or greater than the 140-160 mm Hg range.
In people 60 years and older, any blood pressure reading higher than 150/90 mm Hg is potentially hypertension. Some individuals have a naturally higher blood pressure reading than others, so you should talk to your doctor about your blood pressure levels if you are concerned. You might also consider going on a low sodium diet if you are not yet watching your diet and salt intake.
