Fact 2: High Blood Pressure and Dementia: The Silent Connection
High blood pressure, often termed the “silent killer,” has earned this name for good reason. It quietly undermines health, working behind the scenes until one day, the damage becomes visible. One such connection is with dementia, a relationship often overlooked.
Elevated blood pressure can harm blood vessels throughout the body. The brain, a highly vascularized organ, is particularly susceptible. Persistent high blood pressure can lead to reduced blood flow in the brain, causing cell damage and, over time, cognitive decline. Over years or even decades, this damage can accumulate, resulting in a considerable decline in cognitive function and the onset of dementia symptoms.
The mechanism behind this is not entirely understood. It’s believed that high blood pressure damages the inner lining of the arteries. This damage allows plaques, which are deposits of fats, cholesterol, and other substances, to accumulate in the arteries. These plaques can decrease blood flow to the brain or even cause strokes, both of which increase dementia risk.
Moreover, high blood pressure may contribute to dementia by causing microbleeds in the brain. These tiny, usually unnoticeable brain bleeds can accumulate over time, affecting the brain’s cognitive functions. Microbleeds are often associated with vascular dementia, a common type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. (2)
