# Blood Pressure and Its Connection to Alzheimer’s Disease **By Paula Gallagher** · 2024-08-16 ![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/0960/9603/files/Blood_Pressure_and_Its_Connection_to_Alzheimer_s_Disease_375_x_250_px.png?v=1723838578) Blood pressure is a vital sign that indicates the force of blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It’s measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure when your heart beats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when your heart rests between beats). Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is crucial for overall well-being, but what many may not realize is the significant impact it can have on brain health, particularly in relation to Alzheimer’s disease. ## The Link Between High Blood Pressure and Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Unfortunately, it currently has no cure, making prevention and early intervention critical. Previous research has established that several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and stroke, can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. And now, a [new study](https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209715Blood%20pressure%20is%20a%20vital%20sign%20that%20indicates%20the%20force%20of%20blood%20against%20the%20walls%20of%20your%20arteries%20as%20your%20heart%20pumps.%20It%E2%80%99s%20measured%20in%20millimeters%20of%20mercury%20\(mmHg\)%20and%20recorded%20as%20two%20numbers:%20systolic%20pressure%20\(the%20pressure%20when%20your%20heart%20beats\)%20over%20diastolic%20pressure%20\(the%20pressure%20when%20your%20heart%20rests%20between%20beats\).%20Maintaining%20a%20healthy%20blood%20pressure%20is%20crucial%20for%20overall%20well-being,%20but%20what%20many%20may%20not%20realize%20is%20the%20significant%20impact%20it%20can%20have%20on%20brain%20health,%20particularly%20in%20relation%20to%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease.%20The%20Link%20Between%20High%20Blood%20Pressure%20and%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20Disease%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease,%20a%20form%20of%20dementia,%20is%20a%20progressive%20neurological%20disorder%20that%20affects%20memory,%20thinking,%20and%20behavior.%20Unfortunately,%20it%20currently%20has%20no%20cure,%20making%20prevention%20and%20early%20intervention%20critical.%20Previous%20research%20has%20established%20that%20several%20health%20conditions,%20including%20type%202%20diabetes,%20obesity,%20high%20cholesterol,%20and%20stroke,%20can%20increase%20the%20risk%20of%20developing%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease.%20%20And%20now,%20a%20new%20study%20has%20showed%20that%20untreated%20blood%20pressure%20can%20increase%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20risk%20significantly.%20Specifically,%20the%20study%20found%20that%20untreated%20high%20blood%20pressure%20could%20lead%20to%20a%2036%%20increased%20risk%20of%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease%20compared%20to%20those%20who%20have%20normal%20and%20low%20blood%20pressure.%20The%20Importance%20of%20Managing%20Hypertension%20Hypertension%20has%20been%20labeled%20as%20one%20of%20the%20most%20underdiagnosed%20and%20poorly%20controlled%20risk%20factors%20for%20dementia.%20Shockingly,%20it%E2%80%99s%20estimated%20that%2046%%20of%20adults%20worldwide%20with%20hypertension%20are%20unaware%20of%20their%20condition,%20and%20among%20those%20diagnosed,%20only%20about%20one%20in%20five%20have%20their%20blood%20pressure%20adequately%20controlled.%20This%20is%20a%20concerning%20statistic,%20as%20untreated%20hypertension%20can%20have%20severe%20consequences%20not%20only%20for%20cardiovascular%20health%20but%20also%20for%20cognitive%20function.%20The%20mechanism%20linking%20high%20blood%20pressure%20to%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease%20is%20still%20being%20explored,%20but%20it%E2%80%99s%20believed%20that%20hypertension%20can%20damage%20the%20blood%20vessels%20in%20the%20brain,%20leading%20to%20reduced%20blood%20flow%20and%20the%20accumulation%20of%20harmful%20proteins%20associated%20with%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s.%20Over%20time,%20this%20damage%20can%20contribute%20to%20cognitive%20decline%20and%20the%20onset%20of%20dementia.%20Taking%20Action:%20Early%20Detection%20and%20Treatment%20Given%20the%20potential%20risks%20associated%20with%20untreated%20high%20blood%20pressure,%20it%E2%80%99s%20essential%20to%20prioritize%20regular%20health%20check-ups%20and%20monitor%20blood%20pressure%20levels.%20Early%20detection%20and%20intervention%20can%20make%20a%20significant%20difference%20in%20reducing%20the%20risk%20of%20developing%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease%20and%20other%20related%20conditions.%20For%20those%20diagnosed%20with%20hypertension,%20adhering%20to%20prescribed%20treatments%20and%20making%20lifestyle%20changes%E2%80%94such%20as%20maintaining%20a%20healthy%20diet,%20exercising%20regularly,%20and%20reducing%20stress%E2%80%94can%20help%20manage%20blood%20pressure%20effectively%20and%20protect%20brain%20health.%20Supplements%20can%20also%20be%20effectively%20when%20used%20with%20healthy%20lifestyle%20changes.%20Pathway%20Blood%20Pressure%20Support%20provides%20nutrients%20that%20support%20the%20central%20nervous%20system.%20Village%20Green%20Apothecary%20offers%20nutritionists%20and%20herbalists%20to%20help%20you%20supplement%20that%20may%20be%20beneficial%20for%20you.%20%20%20High%20blood%20pressure%20is%20more%20than%20just%20a%20number;%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20critical%20factor%20that%20can%20influence%20long-term%20health%20outcomes,%20including%20the%20risk%20of%20Alzheimer%E2%80%99s%20disease.%20By%20raising%20awareness%20of%20the%20importance%20of%20blood%20pressure%20management%20and%20encouraging%20proactive%20health%20measures,%20we%20can%20take%20steps%20to%20protect%20both%20heart%20and%20brain%20health.) has showed that untreated blood pressure can elevate Alzheimer’s risk significantly. Specifically, the study found that untreated high blood pressure could lead to a 36% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to individuals with  normal or low blood pressure. **Tags:** Alzheimer's, blood pressure, Category_Health Concerns --- > Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/blood-pressure-and-its-connection-to-alzheimer-s-disease)