Doctors, including Dr. Thomas Olabode Obisesan of Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, used data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to investigate blood pressure and its relationship to cognitive function. The report shows that high blood pressure is associated with lower brain function in people aged 60 and older. Normal blood pressure, less than or equal to 120/80 mm Hg, was linked to the best cognitive performance in those aged 60 to 69, while those aged 70 and older showed poorer cognitive function in relation to elevated blood pressure.
Dr. Obisesan and associates concluded: “Optimal control of blood pressure may be beneficial in attenuating the risk of cognitive decline as the population ages.”
However, medications aren’t necessarily the answer to controlling blood pressure. Ilchi Lee, originator of the Brain Education System Training (BEST) and author of In Full Bloom: A Brain Education Guide for Successful Aging, suggests that adopting healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise and a low-fat diet, can regulate blood pressure just as well. “A lower-calorie diet promotes better circulation and also controls weight, leading to lower blood pressure,” said Lee.
Other ways to lower your blood pressure include achieving a healthy body weight, reducing dietary sodium and drinking alcohol in moderation. The key, quite simply, is to live a healthier lifestyle. As a result your blood pressure will decrease and your cognitive function will increase, and your brain will operate at peak performance—whether under pressure or not.
Popular Brain Tips 
Are you one of the people who like to say: “I perform better under pressure.” If you are, here’s something you should consider. Too much pressure can lead to stress. Too much stress can lead to high blood pressure. And high blood pressure is bad for your brain, especially if you are older.
