That's a great question! High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition with a variety of causes. Some are related to lifestyle, while others are medical.

So Katrin, if there is history of dementia in my family, should I be worried that I might get it too? And what can I do to prevent it?

KS Usually, dementia is not passed down within families. But what you might share with family members are conditions that make you more likely to develop dementia. Such as having hypertension or diabetes, or smoking, unhealthy diets or living in an area with high air pollution. Unlike with genes, there are things that we can do to prevent or reduce our risk of developing dementia. What’s good for your heart is good for your brain. So be physically active, eat healthily, treat conditions such as

hypertension or diabetes. And the other important message is, throughout life, train your brain and protect it from injuries. So, for instance, learn a new language, meet friends or go dancing. All these activities stimulate your brain and help formulate new and stronger and more connections between nerve cells and ultimately help you fight off disease.

VGS Well thank you very much for sharing that with us, Katrin. Until next time then, stay safe, stay healthy and stick with science.

Garlic and Onions
Allium vegetables, which include garlic and onions, have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. They have also been shown to open up blood flow and improve circulation.

This may be why a 2017 study published in the Journal of Hypertension found that adult men and women with a higher habitual intake of allium vegetables had a 64% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease over a six-year period.

Pulmonary hypertension: Hypertension is the clinical term for high blood pressure. Pulmonary hypertension happens if the blood pressure in arteries in the lungs is too high.16