scholarly journals Optimal Blood Pressure Keeps Our Brains Younger

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Cherbuin ◽  
Erin I. Walsh ◽  
Marnie Shaw ◽  
Eileen Luders ◽  
Kaarin J. Anstey ◽  
...  

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a major health risk factor and the leading global cause of premature death. Hypertension is also a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. However, when elevated blood pressure starts impacting cerebral health is less clear. We addressed this gap by estimating how a validated measure of brain health relates to changes in BP over a period of 12 years.Methods: Middle-age (44–46 years at baseline, n = 335, 52% female) and older-age (60–64 years, n = 351, 46% female) cognitively intact individuals underwent up to four brain scans. Brain health was assessed using a machine learning approach to produce an estimate of “observed” age (BrainAGE), which can be contrasted with chronological age. Longitudinal associations between blood pressures and BrainAGE were assessed with linear mixed-effects models.Results: A progressive increase in BP was observed over the follow up (MAP = 0.8 mmHg/year, SD = 0.92; SBP = 1.41 mmHg/year, SD = 1.49; DBP = 0.61 mmHg/year, SD = 0.78). In fully adjusted models, every additional 10 mmHg increase in blood pressure (above 90 for mean, 114 for systolic, and 74 for diastolic blood pressure) was associated with a higher BrainAGE by 65.7 days for mean, and 51.1 days for systolic/diastolic blood pressure. These effects occurred across the blood pressure range and were not exclusively driven by hypertension.Conclusion: Increasing blood pressure is associated with poorer brain health. Compared to a person becoming hypertensive, somebody with an ideal BP is predicted to have a brain that appears more than 6 months younger at midlife.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhoujie Tong ◽  
Jie Peng ◽  
Hongtao Lan ◽  
Wenwen Sai ◽  
Yulin Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (Mets) is closely related to the increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is contributory to the regulation of lipid metabolism, herein, may provide a target for gene-aimed therapy of Mets. This case-control study was designed to elucidate the relationship between Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1044250 and the onset of Mets, and to explore the effect of interaction between SNP rs1044250 and weight management on Mets. Methods We have recruited 1018 Mets cases and 1029 controls in this study. The SNP rs1044250 was detected, base-line information and Mets-related indicators were collected. A 5-year follow-up survey was carried out to track the lifestyle changes, drug treatments and changes in Mets-related indicators. Results ANGPTL4 gene SNP rs1044250 is an independent risk factor for increased waist circumference (OR 1.618, 95% CI [1.119–2.340]; p = 0.011) and elevated blood pressure (OR 1.323, 95% CI [1.002–1.747]; p = 0.048), the prevalence of Mets (OR 1.875, 95% CI [1.363–2.580]; p < 0.001) is increased. The follow-up survey shows that rs1044250 CC genotype patients with weight gain have an increased number of Mets components (M [Q1, Q3]: CC 1 (0, 1), CT + TT 0 [-1, 1]; p = 0.021); The interaction between SNP rs1044250 and weight management is a risk factor for increased SBP (β = 0.075, p < 0.001) and increased DBP (β = 0.097, p < 0.001), the synergistic effect is negative (S < 1). Conclusion ANGPTL4 gene SNP rs1044250 is an independent risk factor for increased waist circumference and elevated blood pressure, therefore, for Mets. Weight management that interacts negatively with ANGPTL4 polymorphism is an essential lifestyle intervention approach for elevated blood pressure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-26
Author(s):  
J. A. Ker ◽  
K. Outhoff

Globally more than 1 billion people have hypertension and it is predicted that because of ageing populations and increasing sedentary lifestyles, this figure will rise to about 1.5 billion by 2025. Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of premature death and morbidity due to stroke and ischemic heart disease. Hypertension is also a major risk factor for heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease and cognitive decline. This article discusses the current evidencebased treatment guidelines and pressing temporal issues in optimal blood pressure control.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chidi C Onyedibe ◽  
Peace N Ibeagha ◽  
Ike E Onyishi

Previous studies have linked anger to elevated blood pressure. However, the nature of the association between anger and elevated blood pressure is unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the moderating effect of distress tolerance on the relationship between anger experience and elevated blood pressure. A total of 310 patients drawn from a university teaching hospital in southeast Nigeria participated in this study. They comprised 156 men and 154 women who were aged between 20 and 80 years (mean age = 50.45). Participants responded to the measures of distress tolerance and Novaco Anger Inventory—Short Form. The blood pressures of the participants were obtained with sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that anger experience significantly predicted both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The results also showed that distress tolerance was a significant predictor of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Distress tolerance moderated the relationship between anger experience and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The relationships between anger and systolic and diastolic pressure were stronger for patients with low distress tolerance compared to patients with high distress tolerance. It is recommended that psychological interventions aimed at increasing people’s level of distress tolerance are emphasized in the management of elevated blood pressure.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3608
Author(s):  
Laurent Béghin ◽  
Inge Huybrechts ◽  
Elodie Drumez ◽  
Mathilde Kersting ◽  
Ryan W Walker ◽  
...  

Background: The association between high fructose consumption and elevated blood pressure continues to be controversial, especially in adolescence. The aim of this study was to assess the association between fructose consumption and elevated blood pressure in an European adolescent population. Methods: A total of 1733 adolescents (mean ± SD age: 14.7 ± 1.2; percentage of girls: 52.8%) were analysed from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study in eight European countries. Blood pressure was measured using validated devices and methods for measuring systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Dietary data were recorded via repeated 24 h recalls (using specifically developed HELENA–DIAT software) and converted into pure fructose (monosaccharide form) and total fructose exposure (pure fructose + fructose from sucrose) intake using a specific fructose composition database. Food categories were separated at posteriori in natural vs. were non-natural foods. Elevated BP was defined according to the 90th percentile cut-off values and was compared according to tertiles of fructose intake using univariable and multivariable mixed logistic regression models taking into account confounding factors: centre, sex, age and z-score–BMI, MVPA (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity) duration, tobacco consumption, salt intake and energy intake. Results: Pure fructose from non-natural foods was only associated with elevated DBP (DBP above the 10th percentile in the highest consuming girls (OR = 2.27 (1.17–4.40); p = 0.015) after adjustment for cofounding factors. Conclusions: Consuming high quantities of non-natural foods was associated with elevated DBP in adolescent girls, which was in part due to high fructose levels in these foods categories. The consumption of natural foods containing fructose, such as whole fruits, does not impact blood pressure and should continue to remain a healthy dietary habit.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifei Lu ◽  
Shoshana H Ballew ◽  
Hirofumi Tanaka ◽  
Moyses Szklo ◽  
Gerardo Heiss ◽  
...  

Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of blood pressure categorization based on the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guideline with the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods Among 13,113 middle-aged participants, we investigated the associations of 2017 blood pressure categories (systolic <120 and diastolic <80 mmHg (normal if no anti-hypertensive medications; reference), 120–129 and <80 (elevated), 130–139 and/or 80–89 (stage 1 hypertension), and ≥140 and/or ≥90 (stage 2 hypertension)) with incident PAD (hospitalizations with a diagnosis or leg revascularization) using Cox regression models. Analyses were separately conducted in individuals with and without anti-hypertensive medications. Results During a median follow-up of 25.4 years, 466 incident PAD occurred (271 cases in 9858 participants without anti-hypertensive medications). In participants without anti-hypertensive medications, we observed significant hazard ratios of PAD in elevated blood pressure (1.80 (1.28–2.51)) and stage 2 hypertension (2.40 (1.72–3.34)), but not in stage 1 hypertension. Analyzing systolic and diastolic blood pressure separately, higher systolic blood pressure categories showed significant associations with incident PAD in a graded fashion whereas, for diastolic blood pressure, only ≥90 mmHg did. Generally similar patterns were seen among participants on anti-hypertensive medication, while they had higher risk of PAD than those without at each blood pressure category. Conclusions Systolic blood pressure, including the category of 130–139 mmHg, showed stronger associations with incident PAD than did diastolic blood pressure. Consequently, elevated blood pressure conferred similar or even greater risk of PAD than stage 1 hypertension, with implications on how to interpret new blood pressure categories in terms of leg vascular health.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornel V. Igna ◽  
Juhani Julkunen ◽  
Jari Lipsanen ◽  
Hannu Vanhanen

Research results suggesting that facets of negative affectivity, <em>i.e. </em>anxiety, anger-hostility, and depression, relate to incident cardiovascular diseases have been steadily increasing. Evidence for depression has been especially extensive. Elevated blood pressure, a major risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, is one probable mediator in this context. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship of specific key elements of depressive disposition, <em>i.e</em>. depressive symptoms, hopelessness and vital exhaustion, with health behavior and blood pressure. Study sample was comprised of 710 middle-aged men. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing health behavior, depressive symptoms, vital exhaustion and hopelessness. Statistical analyses involved descriptive analyses, correlations and path analysis. Depressive symptoms and vital exhaustion associated with several unfavorable lifestyles such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and inactivity (standardized solution coefficients: 0.10, 0.14, 0.17, accordingly). However, no significant direct associations with blood pressure could be found for depressive symptoms or vital exhaustion. Hopelessness associated only with unhealthy diet (standardized solution coefficient -0.10) Moreover, for hopelessness, results showed a direct but inverse association with systolic blood pressure (standardized solution coefficient -0.08). Results suggest that the previously reported relations of depression and vital exhaustion with blood pressure could be mediated by unfavorable lifestyles. The relation of hopelessness with adverse health behaviors seems to be less significant. Also, the role of hopelessness as a risk factor of elevated blood pressure is not supported by the results of this study.


1973 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 617-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. Geffen ◽  
R. A. Rush ◽  
W. J. Louis ◽  
A. E. Doyle

1. Plasma dopamine β-hydroxylase (DβH) amounts were measured by radioimmunoassay in twenty-eight patients, twenty of whom had essential hypertension. There was a positive correlation between resting diastolic blood pressure and plasma DβH concentration. 2. Plasma DβH amounts also correlated significantly with those of plasma noradrenaline (NA) in individual patients. 3. These findings provide further support for the conclusions drawn from studies of plasma catecholamines that the sympathetic nervous system contributes toward the maintenance of the elevated blood pressure in essential hypertension.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Christin Natalia Kalembang ◽  
Gusti Ayu Putu Nilawati ◽  
Bagus Ngurah Mahakrishna

Author(s):  
Yun Gi Kim ◽  
Kyung-Do Han ◽  
Do Young Kim ◽  
Yun Young Choi ◽  
Ha Young Choi ◽  
...  

The characteristics of hypertension in pre- and postmenopausal women are different. Hypertension is a known risk factor for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), but its interaction with the menopause state is not fully established. We investigated whether menopause influences the adverse impact of high blood pressure on new-onset AF using a nationwide population-based cohort in Korea. People who underwent both a national health check-up and national cancer screening program were included in this study. A total of 3 280 834 women were assessed with 23 781 070 person*year follow-up data. Menopause was observed in 1 439 161 women. The risk of new-onset AF and blood pressure showed a linear relationship in premenopausal women ( P <0.001 for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure). The risk of new-onset AF was increased by 58.8% if systolic blood pressure was ≥160 mm Hg compared with the reference group (100 mm Hg ≤ systolic blood pressure <110 mm Hg; hazard ratio=1.588 [95% CI, 1.383–1.823]) in premenopause group. However, no consistent correlation was observed between blood pressure and the risk of new-onset AF in postmenopausal women. The increased risk of new-onset AF attributable to elevated blood pressure was more pronounced in patients not taking antihypertension medications ( P for interaction <0.001). In conclusion, elevated blood pressure, especially systolic blood pressure, was a significant risk factor for new-onset AF in premenopausal women. Postmenopausal women showed a significantly attenuated association between blood pressure and the risk of new-onset AF. Elevated systolic blood pressure had a more profound impact on new-onset AF in women not taking medications for hypertension.


Author(s):  
William B. Kannel ◽  
Peter W. F. Wilson ◽  
Halit Silbershatz ◽  
Ralph B. D’Agostino

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