Having high blood pressure during your 30s is linked to poorer brain health when you reach your 70s.

A recent study from UC Davis has found that having high blood pressure in your 30s may lead to worse brain health at around age 75, especially for men. The study compared MRI brain scans of older adults with high blood pressure in their 30s and 40s with those who had normal blood pressure. The high blood pressure group had significantly lower regional brain volumes and worse white matter integrity, which are associated with dementia. The negative brain changes were stronger in men, which may be related to the protective benefits of estrogen before menopause. This research emphasizes the importance of early-life risk factors and taking care of oneself throughout life for healthy brain aging in late life.