High blood pressure in younger adults linked to midlife brain changes

Research Highlights:

• Younger adults (ages 20-40) with high blood pressure had brain changes by midlife (average age 55) that may increase their risk of cognitive decline later in life or over time.
• These changes were similar across all races and ethnic groups examined in the study when accounting for the degree of high blood pressure exposure.
• The findings suggest health care professionals consider more aggressive high blood pressure treatment for younger adults to prevent brain changes in later life.

High blood pressure among younger adults, ages 20-40 years, appears to be linked to brain changes in midlife (average age 55) that may increase risk for later cognitive decline, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2022, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health to be held in person in New Orleans and virtually, Feb. 8-11, 2022.