Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Even slightly elevated blood pressure in middle age has been linked to a 30% higher risk of dementia two decades later. High blood pressure accelerates atherosclerosis and leaves people prone to an ischemic stroke, which may contribute to vascular dementia. But high blood pressure can also cause the walls of smaller arteries to thicken, raising the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Minor strokes in smaller vessels may go unnoticed, but the damage from many small, silent stokes may accumulate, leading to cognitive problems. Taking blood pressure drugs may help people avoid these risks.

About 25% of people have a patent foramen ovale or PFO, a flaplike opening between the heart’s upper chambers. Most people never know they have it, because a PFO doesn’t cause any signs or symptoms. For the most part, the condition is harmless. But it may allow small amounts of blood to leak across the heart from the right atrium to the left atrium without getting filtered by the lungs. PFOs may be responsible for up to 10% of strokes among people younger than 60. Guidelines now recommend a procedure to close a PFO for young stroke survivors with no other obvious risk factors for stroke.

Research on drugs, diets, and devices to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease includes clinical trials and observational studies. In clinical trials, volunteers are randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment or the comparison, which may be a placebo (an inactive therapy) or a treatment that’s already available. Observational studies follow a large group of people over a long period of time and gather information on diet, exercise, and medical and family history, for example. All studies have strengths and weaknesses, but the evidence from clinical trials is the most trustworthy.

Sesame seeds contain healthy fats and other compounds linked to lowered cholesterol and blood pressure.

Frail, older people with health problems may live longer if they take the blood pressure medications their doctors prescribe.

Ticagrelor (Brilinta), a drug that prevents dangerous blood clots, was granted an expanded approval by the FDA. Doctors can now prescribe the drug in people at high risk of a heart attack as well as those who have already had one.

People with chronic pain may be more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those without chronic pain. Pain may trigger a number of factors linked to poor heart health, including stress, reduced ability to exercise, poor sleep, and depression.

Most adults experience the occasional “senior moment” as they age. While these memory slips may be embarrassing and stressful, they are not always a warning sign of problems like Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Still, for specific types of everyday forgetfulness, adopting certain lifestyle behaviors and strategies can help people retain and recall information and navigate memory lapses when they arise.

Contrary to its reputation as an anti-aging supplement, human growth hormone is not effective at turning back the clock, and it may carry health risks. Commitment to a healthy diet and regular exercise is still the best formula for healthy aging.

Blood tests for cancer screening have shown much promise. New research suggests they have the potential to not only determine that cancer is present, but also determine the type of cancer. While still years away from being routine, this approach could be an innovative way to detect cancer earlier.