congratulations. You have reached the final day of the Brain Health Challenge! Today, try doing a few things that may feel a little surprising, such as measuring your blood pressure.
No, it’s not as fun as playing Pips, but experts say it’s one of the most important things you can do for your brain. That’s because heart health and brain health are intrinsically linked.
High blood pressure, in particular, can damage brain cells and is a significant risk factor for stroke and dementia. When blood pressure is too high, it puts stress on the walls of the arteries in the brain. Over time, the added stress can cause blood vessel walls to thicken and impede blood flow. In other cases, the pressure increases, causing the artery walls to thin and leak blood into the brain.
These changes to blood vessels can sometimes lead to major strokes. More commonly, the damage causes microstrokes and microbleeds that cause few immediate problems and often go unnoticed. However, people who have suffered from high blood pressure for years or decades can allow these injuries to build up and begin to experience cognitive impairment.
High blood pressure is “known as a silent killer for many reasons,” said Dr. Shyam Prabhakaran, chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Chicago. “It doesn’t cause any symptoms until symptoms appear.”
Because damage accumulates over years, experts say managing blood pressure in midlife is paramount to brain health. High blood pressure can be resolved through medication or lifestyle changes as directed by your doctor. But the first thing you need to do is know their phone number. If your blood pressure is higher than 120/80, it’s important to take it seriously, Dr. Prabhakaran said.
In the meantime, here are a few other aspects of your physical health to check.
Your eyes and ears are two of them. Hearing and vision loss have both been shown to increase the risk of dementia. Experts believe that as less sensory information comes in to stimulate the brain, areas that process hearing and vision may begin to atrophy. Furthermore, people with sensory loss often withdraw or become isolated from social interactions, further depriving them of cognitive stimulation.
Oral health can also affect brain health. Studies have shown a link between regular flossing and a reduced likelihood of flossing. suffered a stroke. This may be because good oral health can help reduce inflammation in the body. The bacteria that cause gum disease have also been linked to: Increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
And did you get the shingles vaccine? there is Evidence is piling up It is a powerful weapon to prevent dementia. one study They found that people’s chances of developing the disease were reduced by up to 20%.
To complete this challenge, we recommend scheduling a few medical appointments to benefit your brain as well as your body.
After five days of eating, exercising, and challenging your brain, you’re well on your way to improving your cognitive health. Thank you for joining us this week, and keep up the good habits!
