Taking care of your health today is an investment in your brain health for the future. Regular check-ups can help identify changes that may be easy to miss, while also giving you an opportunity to ask questions, and stay informed about your health.
Preventive care can help you understand your health better, and make changes that can bring positive benefits for your longer term health.
Keep up with regular health checks
Many of the things your healthcare provider monitors for your overall health are also important for your brain. This includes blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, as well as your hearing and vision.
For example, healthy blood vessels help deliver oxygen and nutrients to your brain. Over time, high blood pressure can damage these blood vessels and is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and dementia.
Because high blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, a routine blood pressure check can help identify a change even when you feel well.
Regular care can include:
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checks
- Routine medical and dental appointments
- Recommended screenings and vaccinations
- Hearing and vision checks
- Medication reviews
- Management of existing health conditions
Your healthcare provider can help you understand which checks are appropriate for you based on your age, health history, and individual needs.
Pay attention to changes
You know what is normal for you. If you notice a new or persistent change, consider discussing it with a healthcare professional. When it comes to brain health, sometimes people notice that they do not feel as self-confident as they used to, when it comes to doing something they have always done.
This might include changes in memory or thinking, mood, hearing or vision, balance or movement, or anything else that feels unusual for you. It can also be helpful to pay attention when someone who knows you well notices a change. Some changes need more urgent attention. Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, severe headache, or sudden change in vision may be signs of a stroke or another medical emergency. Call 911 right away.
Your family health history can provide useful information. If memory problems, dementia, stroke, heart disease, or other health conditions run in your family, consider sharing that information with your healthcare provider.
Protect yourself from head injuries
Protecting your brain also means taking head injuries seriously. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can happen through falls, accidents, sports, work, or violence. If you experience a blow to the head, repeated shaking, or another possible head injury, seek appropriate medical care, particularly if you develop new or concerning symptoms. Wearing a seat belt, using a helmet for activities such as cycling or contact sports, and making your home safer to prevent falls can help lower your risk.
Head injuries can also occur as a result of intimate partner violence and may not always be recognized. If you or someone you know may have experienced this type of injury, medical support can help assess potential health effects and connect you with appropriate care. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-7233 or texting START to 88788.
Make the most of healthcare appointments
Healthcare works best when you feel comfortable participating in the conversation. Because appointments can be short, a little preparation can help. If you find appointments difficult to manage, consider asking someone you trust to come with you.
Before an appointment, write down any symptoms or changes you have noticed, when they started, and questions you would like to ask. If you take medications, keep an up-to-date list and make sure you understand what each medication is for and how to take it. It can also be helpful to keep a list of vitamins, supplements, or herbal products you take regularly. If you are thinking about starting a new supplement, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first, as some supplements can interact with certain medications.
If you are unsure why a medication was prescribed, what a test result means, or what happens next, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Use technology when it helps
Tools such as blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, smartwatches, medication reminders, and health apps can make it easier to keep track of your health between appointments.
Consider whether a tool helps you understand and manage your health rather than simply giving you more information to track. Your healthcare provider can help you decide what information may be useful.
Support your brain throughout life
Brain health matters at every age. Habits that support your heart and overall health can also contribute to your long-term brain health. Research suggests that nearly half of dementia cases worldwide could potentially be prevented or delayed by addressing health and lifestyle factors that can be changed.
In early adulthood, routines around sleep, physical activity, nutrition, alcohol, smoking, mental well-being, and social connection can establish patterns that last for years.
Midlife is another important opportunity to pay attention to factors you may be able to change, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, hearing, and mood. Taking care of your overall health throughout life can help create a strong foundation for healthy aging. Later in life, staying physically, mentally, and socially active and treating hearing or vision loss remain important.
Individual experiences also vary. Genetics, biological sex, socioeconomic circumstances, education, culture, and access to healthcare can all influence health over time. Women’s health can also change across life stages, and hormonal changes related to contraception, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can affect sleep, mood, and thinking. Your healthcare provider can help you understand what is most relevant to you.
A few questions to consider
You do not need to change everything at once. Staying informed, keeping up with preventive care, and speaking with a healthcare professional when something changes are practical ways to take an active role in your health.
As you think about your own health, you may want to ask yourself:
- Are you keeping up with routine health, dental, hearing, and vision care?
- Are existing health conditions being appropriately managed?
- Have you or someone close to you noticed a persistent change in your memory, thinking, mood, or movement?
- Do you know who you would contact if you had a new health concern?
- Are there any health questions or concerns you would like to raise at your next appointment?
- Do you have an up-to-date list of the medications and supplements you take?
This information is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual health needs.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About high blood pressure. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/about/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing TBI. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/prevention/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and symptoms of stroke. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/index.html
Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet. 2024;404(10452):572-628. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Using dietary supplements wisely. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/using-dietary-supplements-wisely
National Domestic Violence Hotline. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.thehotline.org
National Institute on Aging. What is menopause? Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause
National Institutes of Health. Talking with your doctor or health care provider. Accessed September 24, 2026. https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/talking-your-doctor