Hypertension affects mental functions at a young age • HealthNews

Hypertension is one of the strongest risk factors for diseases of the cardiovascular system. There is also a connection between chronically high blood pressure and early loss of mental performance. A new piece of research has now revealed that this is particularly true if high blood pressure is noticeable in early adulthood.

High blood pressure leads to poorer mental state

In a long-term study, scientists from Tel Aviv University determined the consequences of high blood pressure in young adulthood on cognitive skills in middle age. For this, the research team observed around 200 test subjects for a proud 30 years. Participants who already had high blood pressure at the start of the study experienced a significantly higher loss of mental functions during the course of the study than those with normal blood pressure. The test results were published in the journal “Circulation”.
In addition to the brain, high blood pressure can also negatively affect numerous other organs, including the arteries, kidneys, eyes and sexual organs. Older adults are also at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. According to the new study, the mental state of young people is affected at an early stage.

Does the loss of intellectual ability start at a young age?

The study authors were able to determine that elevated blood pressure levels affect the structure and function of the brain in early adulthood. Thus, mental deterioration apparently begins at a young age. This finding makes it clear that early preventive measures against high blood pressure are essential. Small changes in the brain that lead to diseases like dementia in later years and can significantly reduce the quality of life seem to start several decades earlier than previously thought.

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The course can provide information

The scientists also found that a disturbed gait can indicate brain damage caused by high blood pressure. During the last year of the 30-year observation period, the gait of the subjects was analyzed using a gait mat and their mental performance was assessed using neuropsychological tests. In addition, the intensity of the white matter in the brain was measured using MRI.
The result: higher cumulative blood pressure was associated with slower locomotion, shorter stride length and higher gait variability. In addition, high blood pressure led to reduced cognitive function and poorer memory.
Increased blood pressure has serious consequences for young adults, even if the values ​​are still below the limit of the disease. In the future, the study should help to assess the consequences of high blood pressure on later cognitive function and mobility.

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