If you think you know the risks you’re courting by not addressing your high blood pressure, think again. It turns out that even in mid-life, those of us with high blood pressure are risking neurological damage that could lead to dementia as we get older. New research in the journal Cardiovascular Research reports that through MRI imaging, scientists found signs of damage to the brain in people who showed no outward signs of dementia but whose high blood pressure had begun to put them on a path of future brain deterioration. In essence, even though you seem “normal” in mid-life, if you allow your high blood pressure to go unchecked, your brain will already begin to show signs of damage that may ultimately be irreversible if you do nothing to intervene. You can read more about this study Here.

Thus, the importance of treating high blood pressure early and effectively has never been more stark. The best way to address your high blood pressure is to learn all you can about both your medication options as well as lifestyle changes to bring your pressure down. So before the alarm bells go off, take a look at this comprehensive overview of high blood pressure.