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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: 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.)