New evidence links high blood pressure to a greater risk of dementia, so knowing all there is about both conditions is especially important for older adults.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, results when the blood’s force against artery walls remains high over time. This makes the heart work harder, and the extra force can damage the arteries. If not controlled, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
The Alzheimer’s Association and the American Heart Association (AHA) say that early research findings now tie high blood pressure to a higher risk of dementia as well. Symptoms of dementia are impairment in memory, reasoning, judgment, language and other thinking skills.
The link between blood pressure and dementia is still being researched, but Dr. Constantino Iadecola of Weill Cornell Medical College says, “People with high blood pressure tend to have more dementia” and adds that high blood pressure “is the worst possible thing for the brain.”
Monitoring your blood pressure is as easy as seeing your physician and having it checked regularly. If your blood pressure is high, your physician may prescribe medication to treat it. But you can do a lot on your own to help manage your blood pressure.
The Heart Association suggests managing blood pressure by:
- Eating a well-balanced, low-salt diet (high in vegetables, fruits, fiber and low-fat dairy)
- Limiting alcohol
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Taking medications as directed
For families who are already dealing with dementia in a loved one, Country Meadows Retirement Communities has information on what to look for in choosing a memory support program. If your family is wondering if it would benefit from care provided by trained memory care support professionals, we would be glad to talk with you.
Over the past 30 years, Country Meadows has cared for more than 10,000 people with memory loss. Feel free to read all about our Connections Memory Support Services program.
Our Connections program provides the Connections Club for residents who have experienced mild cognitive loss to alleviate their feelings of frustration and anxiety. For seniors with more serious memory loss, we offer the Connections Neighborhood with secure entrances and exits and added assistance with daily personal care needs.
If you are choosing a retirement community and feel your loved one might benefit from Connections, we recommend that you view this video. You may decide that his or her needs would be met by memory care support within our caring, family-oriented environment, rather than at a skilled nursing facility (nursing home).
We invite you to contact us to learn more about Connections or, if you prefer, our senior independent living community or personal care or assisted living homes. We would be glad to give you a tour any of our 10 retirement communities in Pennsylvania or our retirement community in Maryland.
We can introduce you to our comfortable senior housing in Lancaster, Reading, York, Hershey, Mechanicsburg, Pittsburgh and Lehigh Valley, PA or Frederick, MD, where we offer fulfilling, personalized senior living that engages the body, mind and spirit.
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