Updated Blood Pressure Guidelines Put Brain Health First

A better memory, greater quality of life, and independence are potential benefits of treating high blood pressure sooner—but not for everyone.
Updated Blood Pressure Guidelines Put Brain Health First
Billion Photos/Shutterstock
|Updated:

Forgetfulness in midlife is often chalked up to stress or age. However, research shows that blood pressure may be one of the clearest predictors of how well the brain is holding up.

In the first major update of the U.S. hypertension guidelines since 2017, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology urge doctors to act sooner, treating even modest elevations as threats to both heart and brain health.
Sheramy Tsai
Sheramy Tsai
Author
Sheramy Tsai, BSN, RN, is a seasoned nurse with a decade-long writing career. An alum of Middlebury College and Johns Hopkins, Tsai combines her writing and nursing expertise to deliver impactful content. Living in Vermont, she balances her professional life with sustainable living and raising three children.