ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Medical experts have warned that high blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, can silently damage brain.
Hypertension is often associated with heart diseases, but it is a silent condition that can gradually cause serious damage to brain’s structure and function.
Symptoms and effects of high blood pressure do not appear immediately. So, many people remain unaware of the disease for years while it continues to affect body’s the most sensitive organ. The condition involves persistently high pressure in the blood vessels.
Although the human brain accounts for only about two percent of body weight, it requires nearly 20 percent of the body’s total blood and oxygen supply to function.
The experts warn that even minor disruptions in blood flow can be dangerous for brain cells.
High blood pressure causes brain arteries to narrow
They say hypertension causes brain arteries to harden and narrow, increasing the risk of stroke. If a blood clot blocks a narrowed artery or a vessel suffers rupture due to excessive pressure, it can lead to permanent disability or even death.
Persistent hypertension also affects cognitive abilities. Researchers believe that people who develop the condition in middle age face a higher risk of memory loss and dementia later in life.
Reduced blood supply to brain gradually weakens memory, decision-making abilities and planning.
The condition can also lead to minor or temporary strokes, known as mini-strokes in a clear warning sign of a potential major stroke in the future.
Medical experts have also warned that prolonged high blood pressure can alter brain structure. The hippocampus – the brain’s memory centre – may shrink, while damage to tiny blood vessels can affect white matter, which plays a key role in communication between different brain regions.
The negative effects of high blood pressure are not limited to the brain only; it can also harm kidneys and eyes.
Damage to the kidneys fine blood vessels reduces their filtering capacity and may eventually require dialysis. Similarly, damage to blood vessels in the retina can impair vision.
Experts suggest simple lifestyle changes to help control this silent killer. They recommend reducing salt intake, consuming fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and avoiding packaged and processed foods and at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
