When it comes to the dangers of high blood pressure, many people think of cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral thrombosis, and stroke. Recently, a new study has added another risk associated with hypertension. Researchers from the University of Ontario in Canada found that elderly patients with high blood pressure are prone to develop Alzheimer's disease, often manifesting as thinking difficulties and impaired judgment.
The researchers followed up with 990 elderly individuals with an average age of 83 over a period of 5 years. The data showed that among hypertensive patients, 57.7% developed Alzheimer's disease, while only 28% of those with normal blood pressure did. Therefore, the researchers stated that controlling blood pressure within the normal range could reduce the likelihood of dementia in elderly hypertensive patients by half. The researchers also pointed out that neurological diseases are the most common cause of disability worldwide, with cerebrovascular disease being the leading factor and Alzheimer's disease being the second.
This is not a coincidental phenomenon. Just a few weeks ago, the Public Health Research Institute at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States discovered a similar pattern in American elderly women with high blood pressure. Moreover, in this study, brain MRI scans revealed the hidden secret behind it —— long-term high blood pressure can lead to degeneration of white matter in the brain. White matter accounts for 60% of the entire brain tissue, densely packed with nerve fibers responsible for information transmission between different regions of the brain. Compared to those with normal blood pressure, after several years, hypertensive patients showed significantly increased damage to the white matter portion of the brain. Furthermore, the damage was mainly located in the front part of the brain, which is the center for human emotions and personality.
Currently, the global incidence of hypertension is relatively high, and the control rate is low. Additionally, there is a trend towards younger hypertensive patients. Experts urge that hypertensive patients should start paying attention to controlling their blood pressure at a young age. Young friends are encouraged to pay attention to dietary control and increase outdoor activities.
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