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Elderly people with high blood pressure, or hypertension, who took medicine to keep their 24-hour systolic blood pressure around 130 mm Hg for three years showed significantly less accumulation of harmful brain lesions compared with those taking medicine to maintain a systolic blood pressure around 145 mm Hg, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. However, the reduction in brain lesions, visible as bright white spots on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, did not translate to a significant improvement in mobility and cognitive function. Researchers said it is likely that three years was too short a time for such benefits to become apparent.
The study, called INFINITY, is the first to demonstrate an effective way to slow the progression of cerebrovascular disease, a condition common in older adults that restricts the flow of blood to the brain. The study is also unique in its use of around-the-clock ambulatory blood pressure monitors, which measured participants' blood pressure during all activities of daily living, rather than only in the medical care environment. In addition to seeing beneficial effects in the brain, those who kept their blood pressure lower also were less likely to suffer major cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or stroke.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 19 2019, @10:44PM (3 children)
For probably most people, high blood pressure is a consequence of lifestyle.
If you can eliminate alcohol, cut way back on caffeine, get in vigorous exercise (aerobic AND resistance), lose weight, eat healthy, try not to stress, and GET PLENTY OF SLEEP (believe me, this is critical), you can lower your blood pressure significantly. In short, you must live as a Mormon.
As an aside, if you are a loud snorer who wakes up tired and with headaches, esp. if overweight, you may have sleep apnea where you suffocate multiple times an hour. This causes high blood pressure and worse. Get a sleep study and you may be prescribed a CPAP.
All of these things can be lifesavers. Oh yeah, and medication in the meantime. My low dose gets me readings of 120/80 in the morning. I have found that any higher pressure than that and I feel like s***. If I ever decide to get off my sedentary ass, I am sure I could lower it to where meds might not be needed. My wife started very vigorous circuit training and spin class, and she lowered her 2 BP numbers by over 10 points each!
Just don't let it go untreated.
(Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Wednesday March 20 2019, @07:47AM
I'm doing great. Because I never touch Alcohol or Caffeine, never exercise, and sleep as little as possible.
(Score: 2) by schad on Wednesday March 20 2019, @01:29PM
I've known plenty of fat Mormons. You need to live more like you're Amish (except you're allowed to use modern dental hygiene).
Regarding even small BP changes: Try taking your BP when sitting slouched in front of your computer. Then sit properly: feet flat on the floor, butt pushed against the seat back, using the backrest for support but also using your muscles to keep your back straight, arms on the armrest (if you have one, on your lap otherwise). Take your BP again. I'll bet you $2 that you get consistently better/healthier readings when you have good posture.
In my case, the difference between bad and good posture is about 10 points to both numbers, and I am not exaggerating. If I have no backrest -- as when I'm sitting on the exam table at the doctor's office -- it's closer to 15.
This is one of the reasons that doctors will generally mentally subtract 5-10 points from the BP readings they take, unless they have another reason to believe that your BP might be a problem. (For example, if it has always been 125/80, but the last few visits it's been 135/90.)
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Wednesday March 20 2019, @03:12PM
High blood pressure + lots of caffeine == Cranky person. That's a verifiable fact.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"