Blood Pressure Should Matter to Young People Too

Take care of yourself now so that you won't have to worry later.

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By Stephanie Cornwell, Editorial Assistant Take care of yourself now so that you won't have to worry later. Here's another reason monitoring your blood pressure matters. Today's Top Story Rising Blood Pressure Poses a Threat to Your Brain Young people who have persistent moderate or high blood pressure might be at higher risk of poor brain health later in life, according to a new study.   Compared to people with low or stable blood pressure levels, those with gradually increasing blood pressure showed abnormal changes in the white and gray matter in their brains.   Disruptions in the white matter in the brain may eventually turn into a white matter disease—a neurological condition that causes memory loss and damages cognitive abilities. If left untreated, high blood pressure could contribute to conditions like dementia. Know More A healthy blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure refers to consistently measuring 130/80 mm Hg or higher. Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year. If you have any risk factors for high blood pressure, you may consider getting a monitor for your home. Feel Better Even if there are factors outside of your control, such as family history, lifestyle changes can help stabilize your blood pressure. Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, establishing regular sleep habits, limiting stress, and avoiding smoking can all help. READ MORE Ask an Expert: How Can People Improve Their Heart Health? There's a long list of recommended lifestyle changes that may help improve your heart health. Being proactive with your health concerns and advocating for yourself when seeking care is important. Eating fresh, whole foods that are low in refined sugar, and exercising regularly are also key to living a heart-healthy lifestyle. READ MORE Experts Say You Don't Need to Worry About Deltacron You may have heard of Deltacron, a variant of COVID which combines characteristics of the Omicron and Delta variants. But there are fewer than 50 reported cases worldwide. The hybrid variant is rare, and there is no evidence that it is more severe or transmissible than previous variants. As of now, experts say there is no cause for concern. READ MORE   In an interview with Verywell, Gabriel Zada, MD, said that maintaining normal and healthy blood pressure is critical, even for young people. It's important for people to be vigilant about that and maintain a relationship with their doctor to keep their blood pressure within a healthy range, whether it's with lifestyle or medication choices. Gabriel Zada, MD Neurosurgeon and director of the USC Brain Tumor Center at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California     Keep Reading   ■ What It's Like to Get Worse at Something. The Atlantic     ■ Opinion: Consent Is Not Enough. We Need Sexual Ethics. The Washington Post     ■ What It's Like to Be a Flight Attendant Right Now. SELF More From Verywell How to Control High Blood Pressure for Women READ MORE Housework, Gardening Boosts Heart Health for Older Women READ MORE COVID-19 Remains a Threat During the War in Ukraine READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.       You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy