Client significantly reduces blood pressure

Human authored, 5 min read – fact checked

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most important modifiable cardiovascular and brain-health risk factors. In England, around 30% of adults aged 16+ had hypertension in 2024, rising to around 70% among those aged 75+ ⁽¹⁾, while the WHO estimates that 34% of UK adults aged 30–79 have hypertension, with only around 35% controlled ⁽²⁾. Gibraltar’s GHA data similarly identifies hypertension as a major cardiovascular risk factor; an analysis of 21,448 patient records found 3,564 people with a recorded hypertension diagnosis, although changes in GP coding mean these figures should not be interpreted as a precise population prevalence ⁽²⁾.

Client reduces blood pressure
A month after starting her Nutritional Therapy program (fig 2, left), a 66yr old female client reported significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as reductions in pulse pressure (the gap between both). Blood pressure was monitored repeatedly, morning and evenings, over several days using the same home blood-pressure monitor, which essentially strengthened the interpretation.

Key findings after a month:
– Systolic blood pressure reduced from 128 to 115 mmHg (−13 mmHg; −10.2%)
– Diastolic blood pressure reduced from 84 to 79 mmHg (−5 mmHg; −6.0%)
– Pulse pressure narrowed by 8 mmHg (~18.2%), reflecting a greater reduction in systolic than diastolic blood pressure.

WHAT IS PULSE PRESSURE?
Pulse pressure is influenced by the interaction between the heart’s stroke volume and the elasticity of the arteries ⁽⁴⁾. A higher pulse pressure can be a marker of greater arterial stiffness, particularly as people get older. Persistently elevated pulse pressure has also been associated with a greater cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. Although pulse pressure alone cannot establish a reduction in arterial stiffness or cardiovascular risk, the outcomes does suggest an encouraging trend in the right direction.

WHY MIGHT ALL THIS MATTER FOR BRAIN HEALTH?
The relationship is particularly important in mid-life. The 2024 Lancet Commission identifies high blood pressure as a modifiable dementia risk factor and reports that persistent mid-life hypertension is associated with greater later-life dementia risk ⁽⁵⁾. Hypertension may contribute through vascular damage, impaired cerebral blood flow and small-vessel disease, including white-matter changes. Evidence also suggests that effective antihypertensive treatment can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment/dementia, although blood pressure naturally tends to fall in some people approaching dementia, so low BP in later life should not automatically be interpreted as protective.

For context on the second infographic (fig.2, right), I highlighted the outcomes of a recently published study ⁽⁶⁾, whereby lowering systolic blood pressure to a target under 120 (like the client did), slowed the growth of small blood vessel damage in the brain, compared with the standard target under 140, providing evidence of the broader rationale as to why a sustained lower systolic blood pressure, may be beneficial for brain vascular health. It does not however establish that the client’s blood pressure reduction will prevent vascular dementia.

Working with me to reduce blood pressure
A nutritional therapist can support healthier blood pressure and long-term brain health by identifying and addressing modifiable dietary and lifestyle factors that influence vascular function, metabolic health and inflammation. An individualised approach may include improving overall diet quality, as well as optimising diet, weight and reducing stress. Physical activity is also very improtant. By working with me you will also ensure you are working with a fully qualified PERSONAL TRAINER. Because long-term elevated blood pressure is an established modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, improving blood-pressure control through sustainable nutritional and lifestyle changes may also contribute to protecting cerebral blood vessels and reducing the accumulation of vascular brain damage over time. The emphasis is on personalised, measurable and sustainable changes, rather than a one-size-fits-all diet.

Contact me