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I don't want to put pressure on you ... but did you know that if you develop high blood pressure in middle age and it's uncontrolled, you're at an increased risk for dementia? That's because high blood pressure damages blood vessels and can reduce blood flow to the brain. As a result, your blood isn't effectively clearing harmful waste products from your brain, and different parts of your brain become less capable of communicating with each other. (Think of it as the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.)

To reduce your risk of dementia related to high blood pressure, you want to achieve a healthy weight with optimal nutrition and physical activity (and maybe a new weight-loss med).

Managing chronic stress and depression is also essential. In one study, around 38% of folks with chronic stress developed dementia. Other studies indicate there's a feedback loop between depression and elevated blood pressure -- perhaps from depression-related unmanaged stress, sedentary behavior, overeating, smoking or drinking too much, and their impact on blood pressure, which in turn affects the brain and mood.

You also want to take blood pressure medications at the right time of day. A new study indicates that it's at bedtime, since it helps you sleep, provides optimal control of nocturnal blood pressure and doesn't have a negative impact on your overall pressure readings.

You may also want to get rid of mis-signaling proteins in your blood! For info on doing that, check out the summary of the AMBAR Study at LifespanEdge.com -- and sign up for the free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.