As of: March 1, 2024, 8:30 a.m
By: Andreas Beez
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In addition to vascular blockages, increased blood pressure levels also threaten dementia.
Salt also plays a key role, warns chief physician Professor Halle from the Munich University Hospital on the Isar River.
A stroke is one of the most feared illnesses - as is dementia or Alzheimer's, the most common form.
There is a major risk factor for both horror diseases: high blood pressure.
It has long been known that it causes vascular blockages, but in recent years the connection between hypertension and dementia has increasingly come into the focus of science.
A study published four years ago showed that successfully controlling high blood pressure with medication reduces the risk of dementia by twelve percent and that of Alzheimer's by as much as 16 percent.
These and 23 other facts about high blood pressure are explained by Professor Martin Halle, chief physician at the Munich University Hospital Rechts der Isar, and other specialists.
University Professor Martin Halle: Anyone who loses ten kilos lowers their blood pressure by 10 mmHg
High blood pressure also puts stress on the cerebral vessels.
© Panther Media
However, high blood pressure can be combated not only with medication, but also with so-called lifestyle measures.
This includes a healthy diet and avoiding excess weight.
“The rule of thumb is: If you lose ten kilos, you can lower your blood pressure by 10 mm/Hg just by doing that,” says Prof. Martin Halle, who heads preventive sports cardiology at the Technical University of Munich.
“And: You should eat as little salt as possible.
Salt binds water in the body, increasing blood volume and thereby blood pressure.
Don't add salt when eating!
“You should also only drink a little alcohol,” advises Halle.
Training against high blood pressure and dementia: Recommended for 15 minutes five times a week
Another important factor in the fight against high blood pressure is regular exercise - ideally at least 15 minutes five times a week.
This program lowers blood pressure.
As a rule, the values decrease by 10 mm/Hg, but sometimes they even decrease by 20 mm/Hg.
“The first successes in measuring blood pressure can be seen after about three months,” says the preventive medicine specialist.
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Regular exercise helps keep blood pressure under control well into old age.
Here, senior women train as part of the bestform prevention program at the St. Josef retirement home in Munich.
© Photo: Sleep
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Seniors stay in top shape with special training from the TU Munich
By the way, regular training is worthwhile well into old age.
“Those who exercise regularly improve their quality of life and performance and are less likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes or dementia,” reports Halle.
That's why, with his team of sports scientists and the Beisheim Foundation, he has developed, among other things, a special exercise program for residents of senior citizens' facilities.
Over 400 seniors in more than 20 houses in Upper Bavaria have already taken part in this so-called bestform program.
How much they benefit from the twice-weekly exercise sessions is currently being evaluated in one of the largest studies of its kind in the world at the Technical University of Munich.
The rapid test for emergencies
The FAST test can be used to quickly and easily check whether a suspected stroke is justified.
The English abbreviation FAST stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time.
Most strokes can be detected within a few seconds.
Here's how the test works: Face: Ask the person to smile.
Is the face distorted on one side?
This indicates hemiplegia.
Arms: Ask the person to stretch their arms forward while turning their palms up.
When paralyzed, both arms cannot be raised, sink or rotate.
Speech: Have the person repeat a simple sentence.
If she is unable to do this or her voice sounds slurred, there is probably a speech disorder.
Time: Dial 112 immediately.