As we get older, our thinking, emotions, and social interactions become even more important. Majority of us will develop high blood pressure during life, and we become more vulnerable to brain and heart conditions. However, in today’s digital age and knowledge-based economy, it is crucial to maintain good cognitive and mental functions. These directly impact how seniors can avoid feeling lonely and maintain their overall health by reducing the risk of serious health problems. Unfortunately due to ageing, things like social interactions, physical activity, good sleep, healthy diet, and staying motivated to take care of our overall health are likely to deteriorate. Our research project aims to study how better management of blood pressure can enhance brain function in coping with life’s challenges. We will analyse data from the large UK BioBank study to explore the prevalence and distribution of high blood pressure over time and across both sexes and different age-groups. Additionally, we aim to identify factors, such as physical activity, sleep, diet, and social interaction, that may influence the relationship between blood pressure changes and thinking or feeling. Furthermore, we will investigate how effective blood pressure control impacts brain function following vascular brain damage. Ultimately, our goal is to provide practical recommendations for public health interventions that can improve brain function in individuals with high blood pressure. This project may need up to six months until we publish the findings.
