High blood pressure affects almost half of all U.S. adults and is the leading cause of death globally.

New blood pressure guidelines call for early treatment, including lifestyle changes, to decrease the risk of dementia as well as improved management before, during and after pregnancy.

High blood pressure is the #1 preventable risk factor for dementia, cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, heart failure) and kidney disease.

High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels of our brain, leading to memory problems, cognitive decline and dementia. Therefore, early treatment is recommended.

There’s a new risk calculator that allows us to assess the risk of an individual having a cardiovascular event in 10 to 30 years, taking into account an individual’s age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking history, kidney function, race and zip code (the latter is an addition from our previous risk calculator from 2013). Results can help guide personalized treatment plans.

It is now recommended that people with high blood pressure have an annual urine protein test (urine albumin and creatinine ratio), assessing for kidney disease. Previously, this was optional.

This is especially important for those who are 35 or older, have a history of diabetes, have a BMI of 30 or higher, have an autoimmune disease, have kidney disease, are pregnant with multiples, are pregnant for the first time or have a personal or family history of preeclampsia.

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It’s National Minority Donor Awareness month, a time to raise awareness about the need for organ donors in diverse communities.

More than 104,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list, and 60% of them are from minority communities.

In Indiana, hundreds of Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents are waiting for a match.

Many of these communities are more likely to develop conditions that can lead to organ failure.

In Indiana, 335 Black people need an organ transplant as well as 107 Hispanic and 66 Asian people. While race isn’t a factor in matching donors and recipients, sharing a similar genetic background can sometimes improve long-term outcomes.

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A promising new therapy is helping stroke survivors regain lost motor skills by using a micro-transponder to stimulate the brain.

Up to one million people suffer a stroke each year, a number experts say could soar to 200 million by 2050. This innovative approach offers hope to those affected by stroke-related disabilities.

The therapy involves implanting a micro-transponder traditionally used for epilepsy patients into stroke survivors. This device stimulates the Vagus nerve, which carries signals to the brain to rewire parts associated with motor functions. During therapy sessions, when a patient performs an exercise correctly, it signals the brain to remember that movement, aiding in the recovery of motor skills.

The damage from a stroke can cause patients to lose their ability to perform everyday tasks such as picking up a cup, using their phone, or playing with their grandchildren.

While rehabilitation helps, this new approach is giving stroke survivors more mobility in their arms and hands.

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