A recent study published in JAMA Network Open disclosed that high blood pressure in the 30s is linked to worse brain health around 75, especially in males.

The researchers examined data from 427 Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) project participants and the Study of Healthy Aging in Black Americans (STAR).

They took two blood pressure readings from subjects between the ages of 30 and 40. Participants MRI scans between 2017 and 2022 allowed researchers to examine late-life neuroimaging indicators of neurodegeneration and white matter integrity.

Both men and women with hypertension have a considerable drop in cerebral grey matter volume, although males have a greater reduction. Compared to persons with normal blood pressure, those moving to or with high blood pressure had reduced cerebral grey matter volume, frontal cortex volume, and fractional anisotropy.

They also discovered that unfavorable alterations in some brain areas, such as reduced grey matter volume and frontal cortex volume, were more pronounced in males. They speculate that the discrepancies might be due to the protective effects of oestrogen before menopause.

The prevalence of high blood pressure varies by gender and ethnicity, with African Americans aged 35 to 64 years being 50% more likely than women. The findings add to a growing body of data that cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood harm brain health in later life. Nevertheless, due to the small sample size, they could not evaluate racial and ethnic disparities and advised care when interpreting sex differences.

Experts stated that this study illustrates the relevance of early life risk factors and that taking care of oneself throughout life is vital for properly aging – heart health is brain health.

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/high-blood-pressure-in-your-30s-linked-to-poor-brain-health-in-your-70s-study/1505325/)