Sunday, November 22, 2009

Is Alzheimer's And Hypertension Interrelated?

By Scott Davis

It's stunning but it's true. The American Heart Association reports that 73 million, that is one third of adult Americans suffer from hypertension. Two million children and teenagers are also affected by high blood pressure. High blood pressure is said to have occurred when blood flows through arteries with higher than normal force. Genetic inheritance, high salt consumption or thickenings of arterial walls are the major reasons behind this.

Hypertension increases the chances of heart failure, stroke and aneurysm. Researchers also found that high blood pressure tend to open door for Alzheimer's disease by reducing blood flow in brain.

According to Dr. Cyrus Raji of the Pittsburgh University, co-author of this research paper argues that Alzheimer's does not have any direct connection with hypertension. But prolonged complain of high blood pressure makes the brain susceptible for such problem. Hence it could be concluded that high blood pressure actually acts as a catalyst in the process.

The research team members used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to measure the blood flow of the brain. The hypertension patients were found to be having less amount of blood flow in brain. Patients with both blood pressure and Alzheimer reported the least amount of blood flow. So there was a clear connection between the two.

Researchers came to this point that good vascular health is good for the brain as well. As described by co-author Dr. Oscar Lopez, of Pittsburgh University, it is essential to detect and treat blood pressure for Alzheimer's patients.

Dr Raji also confirms that the reduction of blood flow in brain due to high blood pressure is somewhat a catalyst for Alzheimer's. Whether you are treating hypertension or not, it will contribute to the problem.

So, even if high blood pressure is not directly responsible for Alzheimer's dieses, but it is one of the main causes. Every high blood pressure patient is not Alzheimer's patient but every Alzheimer's patients is suffering from high blood pressure. It helps to make the brain more susceptible for it and can bring in other disorders related to memory, thinking, language and concentration.

You can always blame your advancing age for problems like hypertension or Alzheimer's but the fact remains that unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits are also responsible for this problem. So if you want to live a long healthy life, you have to make changes to your daily life style from your youth so that you do not suffer from these problems in old age.

Americans are fond of fat and sodium enriched food. Sodium has severe effect on neural system. Processed food is the main source of damaging sodium. So it is a great thing to develop a healthy eating habit. Healthy food does not mean eating bad tasting food. This could be achieved by consuming less animal protein and living more on fruits and vegetables. It is always a good suggestion to avoid processed food and cook one's own.

Exercising is the best way of staying healthy. One needs to get into physical, mental and spiritual work outs in a regular basis. There is no need to go for extensive programs by spending hugely. It is recommended to exercise intelligently and develop a regimented plan. Choose that sort of exercise which is best for you. Following special schedules for hypertension and Alzheimer's would make one live a long and healthy life. - 14130

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