You already know that high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. But there's another cause for concern: the longer it goes untreated, the greater your mental acuity declines.
We all lose verbal abilities, problem-solving skills, memory and speed with age, but men and women with high blood pressure are even more impaired over time, according to Merrill F. Elias, M.D., professor of psychology at the University of Maine. And the problem starts early. "We see this in younger people, too," cautions Elias. "It's a matter of how long you've had high blood pressure, not how old you are." The mental slides may be irreversible, he says, so prevention is key. Advises Elias: "If hypertension doesn't respond to diet and exercise, you must get it treated with medication."
