5 Ways Hypertension Can Destroy Your BRAIN

We’ve all heard of hypertension or high blood pressure, commonly called ‘the silent killer.’  But did you know that this common condition can also be a major brain killer? Sure, it can affect the heart significantly, but turns out that hypertension may have even more damaging effects on the brain. Chronic high blood pressure can cause cognitive decline, neurological problems, and even threaten your life. So let’s get into it. Here are five ways hypertension can jeopardize your brain, from white matter lesions to microbleeds. 1. Hypertension and Vascular Dementia Vascular dementia occurs when blood flow has been cut off to your brain. It usually happens as a result of a stroke or lifelong hypertension. Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels, making it harder for them to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain.  This, in turn, may lead to brain cell death, which can cause confusion, trouble making decisions, and memory loss.  So the main thing to do here is pretty straightforward. Focus your energies on getting your hypertension down, through a combination of lifestyle changes and medications, if needed. 2. White Matter Lesions Speaking of hypertension, it’s a significant contributor to what are called ‘white...