Cause 4. High Blood Pressure – An Understated Contributor to Vascular Dementia
High blood pressure, clinically known as hypertension, is a long-standing health concern associated with various serious conditions, and notably, it’s a major contributor to vascular dementia. What makes hypertension particularly dangerous is its insidious nature. It tends to silently inflict damage over the years, with no apparent symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
Underlying the link between hypertension and vascular dementia is the simple yet profound truth that our brain’s health is directly tied to the health of our blood vessels. The constant, high-pressure flow of blood against the artery walls, typical in hypertension, gradually weakens and damages them.
This can lead to narrowed and less flexible arteries, which are more prone to blockages. In the context of the brain, these vascular changes compromise the essential supply of oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, potentially causing their death and leading to cognitive decline.
Furthermore, hypertension significantly contributes to small vessel disease. It exerts immense pressure on the minute vessels in the brain, leading to their damage and potentially causing lacunar strokes, which are small infarcts in the deep structures of the brain. Over time, this can result in extensive brain damage, enhancing the risk of vascular dementia.
The risk posed by hypertension underlines the importance of regular blood pressure checks and, if necessary, effective management through lifestyle changes and medication. By keeping blood pressure levels within a healthy range, the risk of developing vascular dementia can be significantly reduced. (4)
