Whenever I ask my patients what they are most afraid of the most common answer is that they are afraid of losing their minds. As we age every memory lapse has us thinking we may have Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study has found that one of the easiest ways to prevent it is to make sure our blood pressure is controlled.

Researchers have found that high blood pressure causes scarring in the brain that is connected with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This is a silent disease that if untreated greatly increases the chances of developing memory problems as we age.

There is now quite a lot of evidence to suggest that the longer one is exposed to high blood pressure the more damage there is to the brain. What does this mean?

It means that we need to know what our blood pressure is and make sure we have it controlled. We also need to make sure our cholesterol, weight, and blood sugar are in good control.

Paying attention to fitness and a healthy lifestyle will also go a long way in helping to maintain healthy brain function. Exercising the brain is also important. Learning a new language, doing crossword puzzles, reading books and newspapers are all fun ways to exercise the brain.

If you are concerned about your brain health, just follow the simple tips presented here and it may help to give you peace of mind!