High blood pressure ages the brain

Medical News Today reported recently that research led by the University of California (UC) Davis found accelerated brain aging among young middle-aged people with high blood pressure, and even among those whose blood pressure would not be considered high enough to warrant clinical intervention. The researchers say their findings emphasize the need for "early and optimum control of blood pressure".

Reporting in The Lancet's 2 November online issue, senior author Charles DeCarli, professor of neurology and director of the Alzheimer's Disease Center at UC Davis, and colleagues, describe how they found evidence of structural damage in white matter and volume of gray matter in the brains of hypertensive and pre-hypertensive people in their 30s and 40s that suggests vascular brain injury "develops insidiously over the lifetime with discernible effects".

DeCarli says in a statement:

"The message here is really clear: people can influence their late-life brain health by knowing and treating their blood pressure at a young age, when you wouldn't necessarily be thinking about it."

With recent advances in mobile technology, it has never been easier to stay in control of your blood pressure. 

This Blood pressure monitor is compatible with your iphone, ipod or ipad. Based on the iOS operating system and Bluetooth technology, you can test, track and share your blood pressure results wirelessly. The monitor is integrated on the arm cuff and works with the Free App. It can even work out averages to see if the changes that you have made to your lifestyle or any medication that you are on is having a positive effect. This information can then be sent to family members or caregivers at the touch of a button. Completely portable and easy to use, it has never been easier to manage your own health- both for immediate results and to protect yourself for a healthy future.