Is Alzheimer's And Hypertension Interrelated?

By Scott Davis

You are going to get astonished to know the truth that the American Heart Association reports that 73 million, which is about one third of adult Americans, suffer from hypertension. Two million children and teenagers are also suffering from high blood pressure. When the force of blood flow circulates abnormally through the arteries, the person is said to be suffering from high blood pressure. Genetic inheritance, high salt consumption or thickenings of arterial walls are the major reasons behind this.

Hypertension increases the chances of heart failure, stroke and aneurysm. Researchers also found that high blood pressure tend to open door for Alzheimer's disease by reducing blood flow in brain.

Dr. Cyrus Raji of the Pittsburgh University, who is co-author of the research paper regarding this, explains that high blood pressure does not directly cause Alzheimer but the way it harms the brain that increases the chances of developing it. In a way, hypertension prepares a stage for this deadly ailment to appear.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used by the research team members to measure the blood flow in the brain. In the case of hypertension patients the MRI machine showed that the flow of blood is low in the brain. In the case of patients with both blood pressure and Alzheimer's, the blood flow was even lower.

Researchers came to this point that good vascular health is good for the brain as well. As described by co-author Dr. Oscar Lopez, of Pittsburgh University, it is essential to detect and treat blood pressure for Alzheimer's patients.

As described by Dr. Raji, the way high blood pressure reduces the normal blood flow volume in brain actually is responsible for brain disease like Alzheimer's. The two could be complementing each other.

Though high blood pressure is not directly responsible for Alzheimer's dieses, but it makes the brain more susceptible for it and can bring in other disorders related to memory, thinking, language and concentration. One never knows which direction a situation could move with a more morbid brain.

It's a common practice to put the blame on ageing, but in reality the environment and life style of individuals are the major causes. It is possible to maintain a restricted life style and stay out of the reach of these dieses. With a small change in life style you can stay fit and avoid these diseases.

So start with a healthy and fat less diet from today. Avoid large meal. Make a habit of having small meals of healthy food. It is a good habit to consume lots of fruits and vegetables. Another good practice is eating less meat. Sodium consumption should be minimized and for that you have to say no to process food as they are biggest source of sodium. Take small quantity of homemade food or fruits/ vegetables after every three/fours. Less consumption of fatty and salty food can help you to fight these diseases.

Regular exercise is the only way to stay healthy. One needs to get in to physical, mental and spiritual workouts in a regular basis. For this you don't need to go for extensive programs or spend huge. It is recommended to exercise intelligently and to a definite plan. Following special schedules and specific exercise for hypertension and Alzheimer's would make one live a long and healthy life. - 30246

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